All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Buckhannon man arrested after one person shot, another stabbed in botched armed robbery attempt

Hunter Michael Aragon
Hunter Michael Aragon

A Buckhannon man is in jail on $150,000 cash-only bond after an armed robbery attempt ended with one subject being shot in the face and the victim beaten and stabbed.

Hunter Michael Aragon, 21, of Buckhannon is charged with first-degree robbery, malicious wounding, wanton endangerment with a firearm, presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony and conspiracy to commit a felony, according to the criminal complaint filed in the Randolph County Magistrate Clerk’s Office.

According to Cpl. C.G. Boatwright with the Elkins Police Department, two men – Aragon and a second man that Aragon identified as Damien Moore – attempted to rob an apartment on Davis Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.

Aragon told police that “he had heard someone had stuff that could make him some money, so he asked Damien for help.”

Upon arriving at the apartment, the two became involved in an altercation with Kelvin Akerley, according to the file.

“Hunter states that once they made entry into the apartment, they began to fight the ‘big mother [expletive]’ and kept telling him to ‘shut the [expletive] up’ and attempted to cover his mouth,” Boatwright writes in the complaint.

During the struggle, the firearm – later identified as a sawed-off shotgun – went off, hitting Moore in the jaw. Moore was “completely missing his lower jaw” when officers found him, according to the complaint.

Aragon then used a knife, brass knuckles and a liquor bottle to attack Akerley.

“Once Kelvin was down, Hunter states he began to flee with Damien down the stairs until we arrived and took him into custody,” Boatwright says in the complaint.

Boatwright and Senior Patrolman D.T. Sayre entered the apartment building, at which time “I topped the stairs and observed a large amount of blood in the hallway outside of Apartment 2,” Boatwright writes.

“I then saw the door begin to open and then slam,” he continues. “I announced myself and attempted to make entry. A male subject had himself against the door, refusing my entry. I then kicked the door twice, at which time he backed up and showed me his hands. The male subject, then identified as Kelvin Akerley, was covered in blood and was obviously very distraught.”

Boatwright says Akerley told officers the two individuals were running out the back, and he followed a trail of blood to the rear steps and out the door.

“I then exited the building and made contact with one male subject that was completely missing his lower jaw, bleeding terribly, and still attempting to flee with a backpack on,” the officer writes in the complaint. “I then observed another male subject with a knife in his hand around the corner of the wall to my left.”

Both men surrendered. Moore was taken to Davis Medical Center, according to the file, while officers interviewed Aragon.

Boatwright says Aragon “showed no remorse during the interview” and later made additional threats.

The officer also interviewed Akerley, who told him two men in masks entered his residence and threatened to kill him. He suffered two stab wounds, Boatwright notes.

Aragon is being held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

B-U baseball program to hold golf scramble Sept. 7

The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneer baseball program will host a fundraising golf scramble at Barbour County Country Club on September 7, featuring team prizes, sponsor opportunities, and a 14-team limit.

Wheeling Post 1 claims state American Legion baseball title

Wheeling Post 1 captured the 2025 West Virginia American Legion baseball title with a 6-0 shutout over Beckley and will advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Maryland.

Wesleyan President Dr. James Moore joins Secretary Kris Warner to discuss job skills needed for today’s workforce

WV Wesleyan College President Dr. James Moore discussed with Secretary of State Kris Warner how the college prepares students with critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving skills essential for success in today’s evolving workforce.

Buckhannon man charged with extortion after alleged threats to post private photos online

Cody Lane, 33, of Buckhannon, was arrested and charged with extortion after allegedly threatening to post images of a woman online.

City of Buckhannon announces July 30 water service interruption

The Buckhannon Water Department will interrupt water service on July 30 in several areas for repairs, with a backup date of August 6 if weather delays the work, and aims to restore service quickly.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital announces Hart as DAISY Award honoree

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital honored Danielle Hart, RN, as the 2025 DAISY Award recipient during a ceremony that also celebrated several other outstanding nurse nominees for their dedication and compassionate care.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: July 31, 2025

The Upshur County Commission has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting scheduled for July 31, 2025.

Upshur County Commission hiring seasonal part-time maintenance / groundskeeper position

The Upshur County Commission is now accepting applications for a seasonal, part-time maintenance and groundskeeping position.

Country Roads PT wins Summer Basketball League championship

Country Roads PT overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat J.F. Allen Co. 68-65 and win the Upshur County Summer Basketball League championship, led by Brett Morris’s 33 points in the title game.