Ohio murder suspect Killed in Hostage Standoff at a Speedway in Ceredo, W.Va. after Multistate manhunt
By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor
REGIONAL — A man suspected of killing his 78-year-old stepfather, Donald Wood, in Ohio and conducting multiple carjackings in Kentucky was killed in a hostage standoff at a Speedway Gas Station in Ceredo, W.Va. Saturday following a multistate manhunt.
David Maynard, 54, of Ironton, Ohio, died from injuries at a nearby hospital.
A sergeant stopping at the gas station recognized Maynard, who was standing behind the counter.
Maynard, who police said was holding three hostages, two men and a woman at the gas station, pointed his pistol at the sergeant.
A hostage negotiator with the West Virginia State Police Special Response Team talked to Maynard and was successful in getting two hostages released before Maynard requested that a blanket be placed at the door for the third hostage.
Officers fired shots after Maynard came out the door and engaged members of the State Police Special Response Team, according to a release.
The third hostage was not injured and no law enforcement was injured in the incident.
The manhunt began on Friday when Ironton police responded to a shots-fired call, and upon arrival, found a 29-year-old woman, Maynard’s ex-girlfriend, tied up with cords and his 78-year-old stepfather dead.
Maynard reportedly abducted two women at different locations in Kentucky. One of the women got away and called 911 after getting to safety and Maynard stole both of their vehicles.
During the manhunt, Maynard was reportedly seen in Louisa and also in Martin County.
“We are currently looking for David Maynard of Ironton, OH. Last seen in the area of Louisa after abducting a female and stealing her vehicle,” KSP Trooper Post 14, Shane Goodall said in a post on Facebook at approximately 7:04 p.m. on Saturday. “Best description we have at this time is a dark colored sedan. If you come in contact with this subject, please notify Post 14 immediately.” Goodall also posted photos of Maynard.
Louisa Police Chief Greg Fugitt said his department assisted the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police of a reported attempted abduction from the Dollar General Store parking lot on KY 2565.
“It has been confirmed that David Maynard was shot several times early this morning in Wayne County. It’s been reported that he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. We are still trying to determine if he was ever in Martin County yesterday evening,” Martin County Sheriff John Kirk wrote on Facebook. “Officers were combing the area in Ceredo this morning trying to locate a vehicle that he may have been driving. KSP Detectives were here in Martin County last night trying to find video of a car matching the description of a gold colored, Cavalier that a lady was reportedly trying to jump out. The detectives received a call that he was spotted in Kenova, W.Va. and they left in a hurry. Moments later a deputy was able to retrieve video from a business of the vehicle on Rt. 40 matching the description of the car in which the lady was trying to jump out. Around 11:30 p.m. I was informed that Maynard had been seen at a bar in Kenova around 9 p.m. It is reported that he later took three hostages at a Speedway in Ceredo. As information becomes available, I will keep you updated. Pray for all families involved in this horrific tragedy.”
Maynard served 30 years in prison in Lawrence County, Ohio for a 1989 aggravated murder and robbery and he began serving two 20 years to life sentences in 1989, but was released on parole in November 2019.