Boy pleads guilty in interstate shootings

By Tasha Kates

Published: May 7, 2008

A 16-year-old Crozet boy pleaded guilty Wednesday to several charges in connection with the March shootings on Interstate 64.

In Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Brandon Dawson entered guilty pleas to five counts of maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle. He also pleaded guilty to three charges involving shots fired at homes and from a vehicle, but those charges will be deferred as long as Dawson remains on good behavior.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Darby Lowe said in court Wednesday that Dawson fired one shot off the Route 690 overpass on the morning of March 27, and was present for the other shootings. Police said several shots were fired from the overpass and another at the Ivy exit on I-64, slightly injuring two people.

Authorities later discovered several homes had been shot that day. Lowe said Dawson was responsible for the shots fired in the 7000 block of Greenwood Station Road and in the 900 block of Miller School Road.

Defense attorney Dana Slater said her client has accepted responsibility for what he did.

“This young man is very aware of the seriousness of his actions and the fear and concern of the citizens,” Slater said.

Slater said that although Dawson didn’t pull the trigger in all of the shootings, his presence during the incidents means he will face the same punishment as if he fired the shots himself.

I-64 was shut down for several hours while authorities investigated the sniper fire.

The shootings also shut down Albemarle County public schools for the day.

Dawson and 19-year-old Slade A. Woodson were arrested the day after the shootings at a residence at Yonder Hill Farm. Both were charged with 15 felonies, including charges involving firearms and malicious wounding.

While Woodson’s case is in Albemarle General District Court, Dawson’s case has remained in the county’s juvenile court based on a judge’s April 23 determination. Slater has said her client doesn’t have a criminal history.

Dawson appeared in court Wednesday wearing the blue uniform issued by the Blue Ridge Detention Center, where he has been held since his arrest. He sat a few feet from the gallery, the first two rows of which were filled with family and friends.

One of the shooting victims sat in a row near the back of the courtroom. Lowe said the victims would have the chance to write a letter or address the court about how the shootings affected them.

Prior to his May 28 disposition, the juvenile court’s version of sentencing, Dawson will undergo a social history and mental evaluation. He will remain in the custody of the detention center.

Some aspects of the I-64 case are still under investigation. Police reported that an armed man greeted them March 28 at the Yonder Hill home, where he was shot by an Albemarle police officer. Edgar W. Dawson, who was later identified by police as the man with the gun, still could face charges once the state police investigation is completed.

“We’re not expecting charges, but we just don’t know,” said John Zwerling, Edgar Dawson’s attorney.

Zwerling said Edgar Dawson is undergoing rehab for his injuries and still is unable to work. The attorney declined to comment on whether his client is related to Brandon Dawson.