BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

THEALKA — A physical altercation erupted into gunfire Saturday on Main Camp Branch in Thealka, leaving a River man dead in a driveway and a West Van Lear man jailed on a murder charge, Kentucky State Police said.

Kentucky State Police Post 9 responded to a residence on Main Camp Branch after Paintsville 911 reported a shooting Aug. 1.

Troopers found Richard Roberts, 55, of River, unresponsive in the driveway with an apparent gunshot wound. The Johnson County Coroner’s Office pronounced Roberts dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicates Blake Webb, 27, discharged a firearm and struck Roberts after the two became involved in a brief physical altercation, according to KSP.

Police said Webb fled in an unknown direction but was taken into custody nearby a short time later.

Webb was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Detective Joseph Coleman is leading the investigation. Additional KSP personnel, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Paintsville Police Department assisted at the scene.

The charges against Webb are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.