Share and Follow
In Charleston, West Virginia, a teenager finds himself facing serious legal proceedings nearly a year after a tragic incident at a local gas station. Jacob Fields, now 19, made a court appearance on Tuesday, where discussions were held concerning motions that could potentially delay his upcoming trial.
Fields claimed to law enforcement officials that on May 27, 2025, he was at a gas station, seated in his car, and cleaning his firearm when it inadvertently discharged. This unfortunate event led to the death of 42-year-old Tiffany Clerenia Adkins. Reports from WOWK indicate that Fields described the shooting as accidental.
Adkins was hit in the head by the bullet and, despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, succumbed to her injuries.
Initially, Fields faced charges of involuntary manslaughter. However, further investigation, including a review of surveillance video, uncovered more troubling details. The footage, as described in the complaint and reported by WCHS, revealed that Fields appeared to deliberately aim his Glock Model 20 Gen 5 10mm pistol at Adkins. The video allegedly shows him waiting for her to come into his line of sight before using both hands to fire through his vehicle’s windshield.
Police, however, reviewed surveillance footage that showed he “looked toward her, waited for her to enter his field of fire and raised his Glock Model 20 Gen 5 10mm pistol with both hands, pointing it directly at Ms. Adkins” before firing through his front windshield, according to the complaint, WCHS reported.
Adkins and Fields were strangers.
Prosecutors amended the charges to first degree murder, and he was indicted on that charge, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and wanton endangerment in September. He pleaded not guilty the following month.
On Tuesday, a judge granted a motion by one of the teen’s attorneys to withdraw from the case. Because of the switch, his next court appearance, which was scheduled for Monday, has been delayed until March. Prosecutors still hope to bring the case to trial in April.
Fields remains in jail without bond.