Man charged with murder and stabbing arrested

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A man is now facing murder and malicious wounding charges after an incident that began with police responding to a call about a burglary in progress.

Mark Dylan Kreaps, 33, of Charleston, is accused of forcibly gaining entry to an apartment at a complex in the 1500 block of Virginia Street East on Saturday, Oct. 19.

According to Charleston police, Kreaps is accused of physically assaulting one of the victims before using the knife to injure another person in the apartment.

The victims, who knew Kreaps, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

During the Virginia Street East investigation, a tenant at the apartment complex expressed concerns that an apartment was vacant and there were issues with squatters.

The tenant asked if the officers would check the apartment before leaving.

The officers noticed that the front door of the apartment was not secured.

When officers went inside, they found Les Paul Bumgarner, 43, of Chelyan, lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds.

Officers called the Charleston Fire Department, who attempted life-saving measures. Bumgarner was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the investigation, officers were able to link Kreaps to Bumgarner's death.

A short time later, officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Lee Street East regarding a man on the porch of a home.

The caller stated that the man was asking for help and was wearing gloves.

After an investigation, officers determined the man was Kreaps and took him into custody.

Kreaps was taken to a hospital for cuts to his hand.

Kreaps was charged with first-degree murder, malicious wounding and burglary.

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