One killed in shooting

POCAHONTAS, VA. — Investigators were piecing together evidence and taking statements Monday after a gun battle left one man dead in a barn on Peel Chestnut Mountain.

Tazewell County 911 received a call at 12:55 p.m. about a shooting at the home of Charles Edward “Eddie” Jones, 45, located at 2032 Peel Chestnut Mountain, Tazewell County Sheriff H.S. Caudill, said.

When officers arrived at the scene, the body of Richard Eugene Belcher, 56, of the Bossevain, Va., area was found in a barn next to the home, said Caudill, who spoke with reporters outside the Jones home approximately two hours after 911 received the first call.

“Belcher came to the Jones residence to speak to Mr. Jones,” Caudill said. “The conversation left the porch area and continued at the barn. Gunfire erupted and Richard Belcher was found deceased at the scene.”

Handguns were used in the exchange of shots, Caudill said.

“There were shots fired by both parties. Both parties shot at each other, and each subject was hit,” he said.

Jones had graze wounds on his neck and was not seriously injured, Caudill said.

No formal charges were being filed as of Monday.

As for a motive that sparked the gun battle, Caudill said the case was under investigation and declined to speculate.

Jones purchased the property from Belcher’s family in July 2004, Caudill said.

Head of the detective division, Capt. Kevin Bales, will continue the investigation along with Detective David Mills.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com