BELLAIRE — More information has been released following a reported ax attack and shooting in self-defense Monday and the hospitalization of three people.

Bellaire Police Chief J.J. Watson released the initial report Monday evening, stating police responded to a call about a domestic dispute and shots fired in the area of 41st and Noble streets. Officers arrived and found a man apparently had been attacked and struck with an ax. That man then shot the assailant in self-defense, police said.

Michael Hummel, 47, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, was hospitalized with wounds to the neck and shoulder from the ax attack. The suspect, Joseph James, 28, no address provided, also was hospitalized with a gunshot wound.

A woman from Bellaire also was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that apparently stemmed from the domestic dispute.

“It was a domestic violence incident,” Watson said. “They all know each other. … It started at one of their residences at 4169 Noble St.”

He said the woman allegedly was injured by James during the domestic incident, but not from the ax.

“There was a next-door neighbor that heard them carrying on outside the residence,” Watson said.

“The ax-wielder, he was taken to the hospital, I think in Wheeling, and he ended up going to Northern Regional Jail on warrants out of Athens County. The prosecutor is in the process of putting together all the charges here in Belmont County,” Watson said. “I believe they were all released from the hospital. I think it was just minor injuries.”

The incident is under investigation.

According to Andy Malinoski, spokesman with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, James is being held on a warrant out of Athens County, Ohio, for failure to appear.

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan could not be reached for comment Tuesday.