BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested after allegedly shooting a firearm in a populated, residential area.
Eli Beckner, 25, was arrested Friday for wanton endangerment involving a firearm, a felony. The Buckhannon Police Department responded to the incident and issued this press release Saturday morning.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Buckhannon Police Office Sgt. W.J. Courtney, on March 15 officers with the Buckhannon Police Department were dispatched to Zickefoose Trailer Court in reference to a shooting complaint.
Upon their arrival at the trailer court, they encountered multiple people who stated that they had heard several gunshots. As the officers were checking the area, they heard yelling coming from within one of the trailers.
When Courtney approached the trailer, he could hear a male, later identified as Beckner, yelling about having a gun. Once the officers were able to safely do so, they made entry into the trailer and contacted Beckner, who was allegedly intoxicated, the file states.
Courtney asked Beckner if he had any firearms, and he allegedly admitted that he did. According to the report, Beckner allowed the officers to go to the back bedroom and retrieve the firearms – two pistols – from his closet.
Both firearms were unloaded and wrapped in individual blankets. Additionally, there was ammunition with both copper and nickel-colored casings located in the closet with the firearms.
While speaking with Beckner on the front porch, Sgt. Darin Hissam and Patrolman Wade Loudin allegedly found bullet casings outside behind the trailer. According to the report, there were six casings visible, both copper-colored and nickel-colored, which matched the ammunition located inside.
The shooting allegedly occurred at the Zickefoose Trailer Court, where each trailer is surrounded by other trailers and campers, which were occupied, the complaint states. Additionally, North Florida Street residences are located across the wooded area where the shots were fired.
After being read his Miranda rights, Beckner allegedly admitted to shooting a .45-caliber pistol out of his trailer window.
“When the shooting occurred, two children and his significant other were located inside the trailer,” according to the complaint. “This act was performed in a populated area which created a substantial risk of injury to innocent bystanders.”
Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder set bail at $100 cash only.
The potential penalty for a conviction of wanton endangerment involving a firearm is confinement in the penitentiary for a definite term of one to five years, or at the discretion of the court, confinement in the county jail for not more than one year, a fine of up to $250 or both.
