Death by Cop 2026
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Miguel Angel Gallegos
Age : 49
Gender : Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 05/16/2026
Location : 3400 block of 25th St
City : Parkersburg
County : Wood
State : West Virginia
Agency : Parkersburg Police Department
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during apartment shooting
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 05/16/2026, officers with the Parkersburg Police Department responded to an apartment at 3408 25th Street in Parkersburg, West Virginia, for an “unknown problem” call shortly before 10 p.m. Police said officers encountered Miguel Angel Gallegos, 49, inside the apartment and that he opened fire on responding officers.
Deputies from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist, including deployment of an armored vehicle. Police said Gallegos and officers exchanged gunfire during a prolonged standoff before officers opened fire and killed him.
After entering the apartment, officers found Evelyn Lassend, 45, dead inside the residence. West Virginia State Police later identified Gallegos as the person accused of both firing at officers and causing Lassend’s death. Authorities said Lassend’s cause of death remains under investigation.
A Parkersburg police officer and a Wood County sheriff’s deputy were placed on administrative duty pending internal review. West Virginia State Police are conducting the investigation.