BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly shooting his neighbor three times.
Charles Wolford, 70, of Buckhannon, W.Va. was arrested for malicious wounding, a felony. According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office, Trooper First Class F.J. Turansky with the Buckhannon detachment of the West Virginia State Police was called to a residence on Juniper Lane on Dec. 14, 2022, in reference to a male being shot.
Upon arrival, Turansky saw a man lying on the front porch with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to the complaint. The victim was still conscious and transported for immediate medical attention.
Turansky then conducted an interview with Wolford, who said he and his wife reside beside the victim, his wife’s nephew. Wolford told police that the victim had come to his house for dinner, and afterward, he went to his residence, while Wolford went to the store.
“After returning home, [the victim] inquired where his wife was,” the complaint says Wolford told officers as part of his statement. “Mr. Wolford advised he did not know and went into his residence. [The victim] later returned and kicked the front door while inquiring where his wife was. [The victim] kicked the door again and the front door windowpane shattered.”
According to the report, Wolford then obtained a 45-caliber pistol and fired a warning shot at the top of the door and said he would shoot the victim.
“[The victim] said he did not care,” the complaint says of Wolford’s statement. “[The victim] moved, so Wolford fired three additional rounds through the door, which did strike [the victim].”
Bail was set at $75,000 cash only by Upshur County magistrate Mark Davis. The potential penalty for malicious wounding is confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than two nor more than 10 years.
