Joshua Duff Death News – Authorities in Kanawha County have identified the man who was fatally shot last week during a confrontation with a homeowner in the Rocky Fork area. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the suspect as 35-year-old Joshua Duff of Mount Zion, West Virginia.
According to deputies, the incident happened on August 8 along Lick Branch Road. Duff was discovered inside another man’s home when the homeowner returned. Investigators say Duff was armed with both a baseball bat and a knife. He allegedly attacked the homeowner, prompting the resident—who was carrying a firearm—to defend himself. The confrontation moved outside the house, where the homeowner shot and killed Duff.
Deputies revealed that this deadly encounter was connected to events that had unfolded just two days earlier. On August 6, Duff had been involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. That pursuit began when deputies attempted to stop a vehicle reported stolen from Pennsylvania. Rather than comply, Duff allegedly fled, leading officers on a chase that wound through the Cross Lanes area, crossed into Putnam County, and eventually returned to Kanawha County.
The pursuit came to an abrupt end on Poca River Road when Duff crashed the stolen vehicle. However, before deputies could apprehend him, Duff fled on foot into nearby woods. Despite an extensive search using K-9 units and multiple deputies, he was not located at that time.
Investigators now believe that after escaping the crash scene, Duff stayed in the Lick Branch Road vicinity for the next two days. At some point, he allegedly broke into the residence where the fatal shooting occurred. Authorities have not disclosed how long Duff might have been inside the home before the homeowner arrived or whether he took anything from the property.
As of now, the homeowner has not been charged in connection with the shooting. Deputies noted that the investigation is ongoing and that evidence is still being gathered. It remains under review whether the shooting will be deemed a case of self-defense under West Virginia law.
The Sheriff’s Office has not commented on Duff’s possible motives for the break-in or whether he had any connection to the homeowner. They have also not stated how Duff came into possession of the baseball bat and knife used in the alleged attack.
Law enforcement officials are piecing together the timeline of events from the stolen vehicle incident to the deadly confrontation, hoping to clarify how Duff managed to evade capture for two days before the break-in. Authorities continue to encourage residents in the area to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement promptly.
The case remains open as deputies review all available evidence and await final reports from forensic examinations. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly a criminal situation can escalate into violence.
