2021 shooting On May 24, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at an apartment complex in West Jefferson. Three men and one woman were killed, with three of the victims being found inside the building and one outside. A motive has not been determined for the shooting. On June 14, a 35-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with the killings. The shooting marked West Jefferson's first homicides since April 2012. In February 2024, the shooter, John Steckel, was convicted of four counts of aggravated murder for the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole.
2021 shooting On May 24, 2021, a mass shooting occurred at an apartment complex in West Jefferson. Three men and ,one woman were killed, with three of the victims being found inside the building and one outside. A motive has not been determined for the shooting. On June 14 a 35-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with the killings. The shooting marked West Jefferson's first homicides since April 2012. In February 2024, the shooter, John Steckel, was convicted of four counts of aggravated murder for the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole.