Man indicted on counts from shooting

By Linwood Outlaw III -- loutlaw@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- A local man accused of shooting at a couple's home in the Shenandoah Farms area in June has been indicted by a Warren County Circuit Court grand jury on three charges related to the incident.

David Alan Tipper, 48, of 1493 Western Lane, Front Royal, was indicted on Monday afternoon on two counts of attempted malicious wounding and one count of shooting at a dwelling occupied by one or more people. Tipper is accused of shooting into the home of George and Leslie A. Forshee, of 1483 Western Lane, on June 13 following a confrontation. Charges against Tipper were certified to the grand jury after a July 29 hearing in General District Court.

Authorities received multiple reports of someone shooting a firearm in the Western Lane area at around 7:15 p.m. on June 13, according to a news release issued by the Warren County Sheriff's Office. After deputies responded to the scene and confirmed gunshots in the area, Tipper was found in the woods behind his house and arrested without incident. Investigators recovered a Thompson Center Arms .308-caliber handgun and ammunition at the scene.

According to a criminal complaint filed in General District Court, an unknown woman and Tipper came to the Forshees' home on the night in question, and a physical altercation ensued between Tipper and George Forshee. Tipper had a knife and tried to stab Forshee, but Forshee was able to wrestle the knife away, the complaint states.

Moments after Tipper and the female left the residence, Tipper fired three gunshots, and a neighbor saw Tipper standing in front of the Forshees' house where he fired two additional shots, according to the complaint. Both George and Leslie Forshee were inside their home when the shooting occurred, the complaint says. No one was injured. State police and the Clarke County Sheriff's Office also assisted.

After consulting with the commonwealth attorney's office, police initially sought warrants against Tipper on two counts of attempted murder. However, the charges were later reduced to attempted malicious wounding.

Tipper, who is free on bond, briefly appeared in Circuit Court on Monday afternoon. Judge Dennis L. Hupp continued his case until Sept. 8.