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W. Va. officer killed in undercover drug deal

The Associated Press

BECKLEY
, W.Va.- Two Beckley men have been arraigned on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a Beckley police officer.

According to the criminal complaint, 41-year-old Michael Martin and 24-year-old Thomas Leftwich had arranged to sell crack cocaine to Detective Charles “Chuckie” Smith, who was working undercover.

The three had reportedly arranged to meet at a South Fayette Street bar called Club Attraction early this morning.

Investigators allege that when Smith pulled out his badge, Martin ran and Leftwich shot Smith three to four times with a .357 revolver.

Smith was taken to Raleigh General Hospital, where he later died. State Police are investigating.