Teen Charged with First-Degree Murder in Charleston Gas Station Shooting

Security footage contradicts teen's claim that shooting was accidental

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 19-year-old West Virginia man, Jacob Fields, is facing first-degree murder charges for the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old woman, Tiffany Clerenia Adkins, at a Charleston gas station in May 2025. Fields initially claimed the shooting was accidental, but surveillance footage showed he deliberately aimed and fired at Adkins, a stranger, through his car windshield.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and the need for thorough investigations, as well as the importance of security footage in providing objective evidence, especially when a suspect's account contradicts the physical evidence.

The details

According to the police complaint, Fields told authorities he was sitting in his car at a gas station pump, wiping down his gun, when it "accidentally" went off, striking and killing Adkins. However, the surveillance footage reviewed by police showed a different sequence of events - Fields "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 the windshield. Adkins and Fields were strangers.

  • On May 27, 2025, the fatal shooting occurred at a Charleston gas station.
  • In September 2025, Fields was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and wanton endangerment.
  • On Tuesday, February 18, 2026, a judge granted a motion by one of Fields' attorneys to withdraw from the case, delaying his next court appearance until March.

The players

Jacob Fields

A 19-year-old West Virginia man accused of fatally shooting a 42-year-old woman at a Charleston gas station in May 2025.

Tiffany Clerenia Adkins

A 42-year-old woman who was fatally shot by Fields at a Charleston gas station in May 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and the need for thorough investigations, as well as the importance of security footage in providing objective evidence, especially when a suspect's account contradicts the physical evidence.