On the morning of March 13th, acting chief ranger Sarah Davis-Reynolds received a complaint of automatic weapons fire along the Appalachian Trail near Keyes Gap. She requested assistance from C&O Canal rangers and Jefferson County officers, then headed for Keyes Gap, where she contacted a highly intoxicated man later identified as Jeffrey James. James was unable to identify himself, saying “I’m a little out of it right now,” then began to flee toward the Appalachian Trail with a twelve-pack of beer in his possession. Reynolds was able to catch James and took him to the ground. A struggle ensued and Reynolds attempted to employ her taser on James. The darts failed to penetrate his heavy coat, though, and he again fled with the beer. Reynolds again used her taser, this time stopping him. James was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. The sheriff’s department will be handling the case. It was later learned that a local landowner had been firing his personal semi-automatic weapon on private property next to the trail.
