MARLINTON, W.Va. -- The son of Pocahontas County Sheriff Robert Alkire, a sheriff's deputy himself, was arrested for a Nov. 30 incident where he allegedly fired his department-issue pistol unsafely.

Special Prosecutor Dan Dotson said Robert Alkire II was charged Friday with one count of wanton endangerment for the incident. Bail was set at $3,000.

Dotson, a Braxton County assistant prosecuting attorney, would not release any other information on the incident.

Pocahontas County Prosecutor Walt Weiford said he asked for a special prosecutor after learning that West Virginia State Police wanted to interview him about the incident.

Robert Alkire II, "handled his department issue pistol in an unsafe manner and fired [it] in such a manner that it created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another," according to the criminal complaint filed in Pocahontas County Magistrate Court.

Neither Sheriff Alkire nor Robert Alkire II could be reached for comment Monday.

According to local newspaper The Pocahontas County Commentator, the younger Alkire drove to a woman's house in Marlinton and was in uniform when the incident occurred.

After the shot was fired, Sheriff Alkire arrived on the scene to deal with the incident, according to the paper.

Dotson said Robert Alkire II was placed on administrative leave shortly after the incident. Dotson said he didn't know if he is still on administrative leave.

MARLINTON, W.Va. -- The son of Pocahontas County Sheriff Robert Alkire, a sheriff's deputy himself, was arrested for a Nov. 30 incident where he allegedly fired his department-issue pistol unsafely.

Special Prosecutor Dan Dotson said Robert Alkire II was charged Friday with one count of wanton endangerment for the incident. Bail was set at $3,000.

Dotson, a Braxton County assistant prosecuting attorney, would not release any other information on the incident.

Pocahontas County Prosecutor Walt Weiford said he asked for a special prosecutor after learning that West Virginia State Police wanted to interview him about the incident.

Robert Alkire II, "handled his department issue pistol in an unsafe manner and fired [it] in such a manner that it created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another," according to the criminal complaint filed in Pocahontas County Magistrate Court.

Neither Sheriff Alkire nor Robert Alkire II could be reached for comment Monday.

According to local newspaper The Pocahontas County Commentator, the younger Alkire drove to a woman's house in Marlinton and was in uniform when the incident occurred.

After the shot was fired, Sheriff Alkire arrived on the scene to deal with the incident, according to the paper.

Dotson said Robert Alkire II was placed on administrative leave shortly after the incident. Dotson said he didn't know if he is still on administrative leave.