West Virginia State Police say a security guard at a mine has fatally shot a man in a confrontation over trespassing.

A police statement says troopers responded to a call of shots fired Wednesday morning at Frasure Creek mine near Oak Hill and found 31-year-old Johnny Johnston Jr. dead of an apparent gunshot wound. Police say security guard Gary Gover apparently confronted Johnston and another man after finding them on the property and a "violent" altercation ensued.

Mine Safety and Health Administration spokeswoman Amy Louviere said in a statement to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph the trespassing was linked to an attempted theft.

Police say Gover suffered injuries consistent with a fall. The third man left the scene, but police say he was later located.

No further information was immediately released.