Murder suspect kills self during traffic stop along highway in West Virginia: authorities

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — A murder suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a traffic stop along Interstate 79 in West Virginia, according to authorities.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said Dennis Rahuba, 50, who was wanted in a double homicide investigation in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, fatally shot himself Monday morning.

The sheriff’s office said deputies spotted a vehicle involved in a murder investigation in Pittsburgh and initiated a traffic stop near the southbound Westmoreland exit of Interstate 79.

When deputies surrounded the vehicle in an attempt to get the suspect out, they said they heard what appeared to be a gunshot.

A SWAT team and armored truck were called in and confirmed that the driver, who was later identified as Rahuba, had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A portion of the highway was temporarily closed as authorities cleared the scene.

Rahuba was wanted after a 53-year-old man and 50-year-old woman were found dead in Pennsylvania, according to Allegheny County Police.

Law enforcement notified authorities in West Virginia that Rahuba could be traveling south toward Kanawha County. Shortly after, a deputy spotted Rahuba’s vehicle.

The Charleston Police Department is expected to handle the investigation.