Adams County man charged with assaulting neighbor with socket wrench

Felony aggravated assault charges were filed against a Biglerville man on Wednesday after police alleged he beat a man with a socket wrench, records show.

Daniel Varner, 40, of Biglerville, is facing first and second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, felony burglary charges, felony criminal trespass charges, misdemeanor simple assault charges, and a summary count of harassment, according to charges filed by the Biglerville Borough Police Department on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

According to the charging documents filed against Varner by Biglerville police, police were called for an assault at an apartment in Biglerville around 9:21 p.m. on Tuesday night, June 3, 2025.

Police arrived and found a victim "bleeding heavily from his head," the affidavit states, and the victim told officers that he had been inside of his apartment on Tuesday night when he heard a loud bang outside.

According to the victim's account, the victim went to his door to see what was occurring outside of his apartment and was immediately "bum rushed" by another adult male, who tackled him and began striking him in the head with a socket wrench, the affidavit states.

After striking the victim several times, the man then left the apartment, the victim told officers.

While speaking with the victim, the victim eventually identified his attacker as Varner, the occupant of a neighboring apartment, according to the documents.

Inside of the apartment, police describe seeing "large amounts of blood" around the living room and entryway to the apartment, according to the affidavit. A bloody socket wrench was found on the couch in the living room, which police identified as the weapon allegedly used.

Police then approached Varner's apartment, and describe in the documents seeing "fresh spots of blood" on the exterior of the door, the documents state.

Upon making contact with Varner, police say they observed blood on his arms and hands, as well as blood stains on his clothing, the documents state.

Another occupant of Varner's apartment told officers, the affidavit states, that Varner had left the apartment on Tuesday night and had returned with blood on his clothing.

While Varner was being booked at Adams County Prison, Varner allegedly stated that the victim "deserved what he got," the affidavit states.

A preliminary hearing for Varner is scheduled for June 18, 2025, records showed.