French Creek man charged after allegedly shooting at deputies multiple times

FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. (WBOY) — A man has been charged after Upshur County deputies say he shot at them multiple times on a “non-maintained county road.”

According to a criminal complaint, on April 16, deputies with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office were in the area of Seng Run in French Creek to follow up on multiple complaints about an individual blocking the area and “brandishing firearms at people.”

Deputies said that they spoke with a representative from the West Virginia Division of Highways who said that Michael Phipps, 62, of French Creek, was blocking “a non-maintained county road.”

Deputies then performed a “plain clothes detail” using UTVs on Seng Run and noticed that the road was “closed by a pipe gate with a chain and padlocked shut” with a sign that read “Road is not maintained beyond this point,” the complaint said.

While deputies were stopped by the gate, they said that Phipps came out of a nearby residence, “ran back inside and retrieved a firearm” and discharged it three times in their direction.

Once deputies displayed their badges and identified themselves, they yelled for Phipps to
“keep his hands in the air and not reach toward the firearm.” Deputies were then able to place Phipps into custody and take possession of a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson firearm, the complaint said.

Phipps has been charged with three counts of wanton endangerment and is being held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Following Phipps’ arrest, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office made a post on social media asking people to contact the office if they have “experienced a recent confrontation on Seng Run Road off Natural Bridge Road in Southern Upshur County.” Those who wish to contact the office can do so at 304-472-1182.

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