Woman remains critical after murder attempt

Robert Alan “Buckwheat” Gretsinger, 58, was arrested for the attempted murder and malicious wounding of a 26-year-old Berkeley Springs woman on Saturday afternoon.

The attack on Carrie Lowe took place at Gretsinger’s residence on Pious Ridge Road near Berkeley Springs on September 4, according to Senior State Trooper J. C. McDonald, the investigating officer.

Gretsinger apparently took Lowe to his residence because she wanted to borrow a truck. Once there, he refused to lend her the vehicle, but she grabbed the keys, police said.

Gretsinger followed Lowe outside carrying a shotgun. He ordered her to the ground and when she continued walking away, he fired several shots, striking Lowe in the upper right chest and lower right back, police said.

Lowe continued to move down the driveway, away from Gretsinger, who then grabbed a baseball bat and hit her several times on the forehead and the back of her head, police said.

Lowe was taken to War Memorial Hospital by a private citizen and was then helicoptered to Winchester Medical Center.

Tuesday morning, relatives said Lowe remained on life support and in critical condition following two major surgeries. In addition to the gunshot wounds which damaged internal organs, part of her skull was reportedly crushed by the battering.

Gretsinger was arraigned before Magistrate Kermit Ambrose, who set bond at $10,000. At last report, he was in the Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg.

West Virginia State Police were assisted in the investigation by Morgan County Sheriff’s personnel.