BERKELEY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man originally charged with attempted murder in a June 17 shooting at a Berkeley County gas station is now facing a first-degree murder charge after the victim died from his injuries.
According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, 19-year-old Landis Mitchell Govan was pronounced dead at 3:56 p.m. on June 22, 2025, at Berkeley County Medical Center.
His death was reported to law enforcement the following day, prompting the upgraded charge. The victim’s next of kin has been notified.
The incident occurred around 3:10 a.m. on June 17 at the Rutter’s gas station located at 1390 Hedgesville Road.
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting and found Govan suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Elias Michael Jenkins of Martinsburg, allegedly fled the scene before officers arrived but was located nearby by Deputy Little and taken into custody.
He was initially charged with attempted murder and held on a $150,000 bond at the Eastern Regional Jail. That charge has now been refiled as first-degree murder.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the case.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Deputy Giangola or Deputy Weidman at 304-267-7000 or submit a tip anonymously online at https://www.berkeleywv.org/FormCenter/Sheriff-11/Drug-Tips-Submission-Form-64.
