Two days before Christmas, the wife of a West Virginia lawmaker called 911 telling the operator she was concerned about him drunkenly handling assault rifles and screaming at people looking at Christmas lights in their neighborhood.
Del. Brandon Steele’s wife, Raleigh County Clerk Brianne Steele, told a 911 operator that she was worried that her “extremely agitated and very, very drunk” husband may start shooting and that her children were “terrified.”
According to a Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office police report, officers arrived at Steele’s residence following Brianne Steele’s call. No arrests were made related to the incident.
The report contains statements from Brandon Steele expressing concern about “possible threats regarding trials that he is working,” and concerns from Brianne Steele about her husband’s “paranoid” behavior and alcoholism.
Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, did not attend the House of Delegates’ swearing in ceremony on Wednesday at the state Capitol.
He told West Virginia Watch that the “rumors being spread” around the incident are “vicious and disheartening.”
“The only statement I have is that we had an incident of someone stalking at our home on Dec. 23 to which the police responded. It is not the first time this has happened over the last six years,” said Brandon Steele, who is an attorney. “Police responded and came to my home, they cleared the scene and left. Law enforcement professionally and appropriately responded to the situation. They ensured my safety and my family’s safety.”
Brandon Steele said that he reported the incident to the Capitol police.
“My family and I are fine,” he said.
The 911 tapes were sent to House leadership and members of the media on Tuesday afternoon. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw announced the same day that Steele would serve as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, a leadership role in the body. The Judiciary Committee can be tasked with vetting bills impacting the criminal justice system, including penalties for domestic violence.
Hanshaw told reporters that he became aware of this situation late Tuesday and had not yet spoken with Brandon Steele.
“I only know what I’ve read online; which is to say not much,” said Del. J.B. Akers, the new vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to respond and I hope the Steele family is given one. Speaker Hanshaw is a person of integrity and I’m sure he will handle this appropriately.”
“Personally, I said a prayer for the Steeles, especially the children,” said Akers, R-Kanawha.
In a 23-minute call to Raleigh County Emergency Services, Brianne Steele described the night’s events in hushed tones to a 911 operator while locked in a bathroom, her children “hiding in the bathtub.”
“He grabbed [the guns] off the wall in front of the kids and they’re terrified now,” adding that there were three children in the home.
According to the police report, “[Brianne] stated she did not observe any vehicles in front of their residence, however she did see him walking in and out of their home with his weapons while screaming. She stated that she believes Brandon is extremely paranoid. Brianne stated that Brandon is also a severe alcoholic.”
“Brianne was advised of how to obtain a mental hygiene if she chose to do so. She also stated that Brandon did not at any time threaten her or their children. Brianne then decided to leave for the night with their children to allow Brandon to sober up.”
Steele has served in the House since 2018.