Martinsburg man arrested after eight-hour standoff

Terry Lee Mason is charged with wanton endangerment and felon in possession of a firearm

May 04, 2013

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A Martinsburg man was apprehended Saturday morning following an eight-hour standoff with police, according to a Martinsburg Police Department news release.

Terry Lee Mason, 25, of 116 Wilt Drive, is charged with wanton endangerment and felon in possession of a firearm through Berkeley County Magistrate Court, according to the release.

The incident began Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., when the Martinsburg Police Department responded to The Dirty Dawg Saloon at 1017 S. Queen St. in Martinsburg for a report of shots fired.

According to witnesses, Mason fired one shot in the direction of the establishment while patrons were standing outside. Officers later found a .40-caliber shell casing at the scene, according to the release.

Mason had been removed from the establishment earlier after causing a disturbance, police said.

Mason left the scene as a passenger in a Kia Optima before officers arrived, police said. The vehicle was driven by Mason’s girlfriend, police said.

Officers with the Martinsburg Police Department and West Virginia State Police tracked the vehicle to Mason’s home. Mason refused to come to the door, and an eight-hour standoff ensued, police said.

The West Virginia State Police Special Response Team entered the home at about 9:30 a.m. and Mason was apprehended without further incident, according to the release.

A .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun later was found in the home, police said.

Mason previously was convicted of malicious wounding in June 2006 through Berkeley County Magistrate Court.

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