On Friday, Oct. 27, three people were injured in a shooting in Summers County. Five people were riding an ATV when they were shot at by Frederick Tolliver, 66, of Alderson, who is now in custody. McCaden “Mac” Brackenrich, an Alderson police officer, was shot in the neck, Timothy Smith was shot in the foot, and Shannon Earhart was injured by bullet shrapnel. Brackenrich was off duty at the time of the incident. The two others in the ATV, Billy Lightner and Alderson Mayor Travis Copenhaver, were uninjured.
Allegedly, the five men were turning around in Tolliver’s driveway in the ATV when Tolliver began shooting a firearm in their direction. According to a criminal complaint, Tolliver did not know who was in the ATV and he stated he perceived no threats of violence from the occupants. Tolliver is currently being held in Southern Regional Jail and is being charged with five counts of attempted murder and three counts of malicious wounding.
Officer Brackenrich remains a patient at Charleston Area Medical Center, where he is continuing to recover from his injuries. According to a YouCaring page set up for Brackenrich, he is showing some improvement. Anyone wanting to donate to help offset his medical expenses can do so at https://www.youcaring.com/mccadenmacbrackenrich-993192.