BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. — Police have an Inez man in custody on an attempted murder charge for a Nov. 17 shooting in Dingess, West Virginia.

The West Virginia State Police (WVSP) arrested 27-year-old Christopher Russell Mills, Nov. 29 in connection with the shooting that injured Shane Nelson.

The second suspect, 51-year-old Crit Vance of Mingo County, has not been arrested.

Trooper C.K. Johnson of the WVSP Williamson detachment filed the criminal complaint against Mills in Mingo County one day after Nelson was shot in the leg. Police began an intensive search for Mills and Vance.

Mills faces charges of attempted murder and using or presenting a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Magistrate Donald Sansom set Mills’ bond at $100,000 cash-only Dec. 1 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 10.

Mills’ arrest also triggered separate criminal charges in Wayne County. WVSP Trooper B.E. Warden of the Wayne Detachment charged Mills with intent to deliver a Schedule I or II controlled substance, a felony, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a misdemeanor.

Magistrate Billy Dell Runyon set surety/cash bonds of $40,000 and $5,000 in the Wayne County cases. He set preliminary hearings for Dec. 9.

A third case, filed Dec. 2 in Cabell County, charges Mills with being a fugitive from justice.

Mills is also facing a parole violation charge, which carries no bond, preventing his release even if he were to post the bonds set in Mingo and Wayne counties.

In all, Mills faces attempted murder; use or presentation of a firearm during commission of a felony; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; prohibited possession of a firearm; and parole violation.

The court assigned public defenders in both Mingo and Wayne counties.

WVSP has not released additional information about Vance.

Mills is in the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville.