A Berkeley Springs man has been charged with wanton endangerment after police were called to a downtown church for reports of a possible hostage situation on Monday, July 16.
Richard “Rick” Jenkinson, 70, was located and disarmed by police after they received a 911 call from the wife of the pastor of the Gospel Light Tabernacle on Williams Street.
According to Sheriff K.C. Bohrer, multiple officers from the Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police responded at 5:46 p.m. to the church. The wife had told dispatchers that her husband was in the church with Jenkinson, who was armed. She told dispatchers that Jenkinson had mental health issues.
Sheriff Bohrer and Deputy Dennis Jenkins arrived to find the pastor outside the church and Jenkinson inside, armed.
Sheriff Bohrer said he had two handguns and a significant quantity of ammunition at the time of his apprehension.
Jenkinson was charged with felony wanton endangerment and jailed at the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
