Man charged with five counts wanton endangerment after discharging firearm in home

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Harrison County man was arrested over the weekend and charged with five counts of wanton endangerment involving the use of a firearm. Watkins James Irving Watkins, 35, is alleged to have discharged a firearm chambered in .22 LR several times into the floor of a residence in an attempt to frighten a female victim. At the time of the incident, five other people were in the residence: The female, another adult and three children, according to the complaint. Harrison County Deputy S. Richardson arrived to the scene along with members of the Harrison County SWAT team and cleared the residence. However, Watkins could not be found as he had fled to a nearby wooded area, according to the complaint. Watkins came out of the woods "sometime later" and was taken into custody by the Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement alleges he admitted to shooting the gun in the residence with the intent to scare the female victim, according to the complaint. Watkins also stated he had been drinking alcohol during the time of the incident and that he understood that a .22 LR had the ability to take a human life, Richardson alleged. Watkins remained jailed Tuesday on a $75,000 bond. Watkins faces a potential penalty of anywhere from 5 up to 25 years in prison if convicted of all five wanton endangerment charges. Watkins is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty.