It could happen. Fortunately, WV is, as far as I know, a "right-to-carry" state. So get your carry permit, choose a sidearm (hard to go wrong with a .357 Magnum, that's just my opinion), and watch your back.
Just be careful that you don't cross into the People's Republic of Maryland while you're packing. Last I heard, they're NOT a RTC state.
The author writes about his experience walking the entire trail. The first couple of chapters are pretty boring, but the rest is great.
Anyhow, the trail is pretty isolated and the only people that really go out there go to hike, not cause trouble. I'd say you're safer there than most places.
The risks for those are actually relatively low compared to walking around in a big city. However it CAN happen, as it has in the past. So as the boy scouts say, "Be Prepared".