SHUTTLE DRIVER FOR PBS NEWSHOUR, JULIAN DAWKINS, MURDERED JUST LIKE TRAYVON! (2529 hits)
VIRGINIA--An altercation between an off-duty Arlington County Sheriff's deputy and a man in Alexandria Wednesday morning left a 22-year-old man shot to death, police say.
The incident happened shortly after 12:45 Wednesday morning in the 100 block of Lynhaven Drive in Alexandria. Police say their investigation shows that both the victim and the deputy were on foot at the time.
The deputy is identified as Craig Patterson, a 17-year veteran of the Arlington County Sheriff's office. The victim is identified as Julian Dawkins.
He was back in the neighborhood Tuesday night celebrating with family at his aunt's house. His cousin, Tierra Ruffin Pratt, was just signed to a contract by the Washington Mystics.
Dawkins, a graduate T.C. Williams High School, had been working as a shuttle driver for the PBS Newshour in Shirlington since 2010.
He had been staying with his aunt but spending most of his time with his girlfriend in D.C., Tanea Bynum.
"I'm numb. I don't know how to go on,” Bynum says. “That was my life."
Gwen Pratt Miller, Dawkins mother, had just attended the funeral of her father a few days ago.
"He was all I had. He was my only child and I'm just trying to figure out a way that god will get me through this," she says.
Police say that their preliminary investigation doesn’t reveal that there is any tie between the victim and Patterson.
Family and neighbors say Dawkins was on his phone when the gunfire rang out.
Kim Bragg, a friend of Dawkins’ family, says Dawkins is like another son. She says she was person on the other end of the line when the shots were fired.
“I just heard a gunshot and I didn't think he was hurt, so I was still on the phone," she said. "I was on the phone calling his name and he wasn't responding."
Dawkins’ aunt says he left the home at 9, nearly four hours before the shooting.
"I wake up and get a knock on the door and see my nephew lying face down in the grass,” she says. “It's just unreal."
Craig Patterson shot Julian apparently after an argument...a senseless killing of yet another young black male after a confrontation with someone sworn to uphold the law!!! (NUP)
Friday, May 31st 2013 at 10:03AM
Siebra Muhammad
Julian Dawkins update: Craig Patterson back in court August 6
Alexandria, VA (WJLA-TV)--The Arlington County Sheriff's deputy accused of shooting and killing a 22-year-old man in Alexandria last month will appear in court for his preliminary hearing in August.
An Alexandria judge on Friday scheduled Craig Patterson's initial hearing for August 6. He stands accused in the murder of Julian Dawkins, who was shot to death on Lynhaven Street in Alexandria on May 22.
The 44-year-old Patterson, a 17-year veteran of the Arlington County Sheriff's Office, was arrested more than a week after the shooting. He was immediately placed on unpaid leave after being charged with first-degree murder.
Police say that Patterson and Dawkins got into an argument in the early morning hours of May 22, during which Patterson, who was off duty, said, "I'll be back." He then allegedly returned and opened fire on Dawkins.
Dawkins, a T.C. Williams High School graduate, had been working as a shuttle driver for the PBS NewsHour since 2010.
Patterson's attorney says that his client has no previous criminal record.
Friday, June 7th 2013 at 1:14PM
Siebra Muhammad
From what I've read so far Julian was a decent brother. A life taken before he got his chance to shine. Just because the shooter is in law enforcement makes no difference. Treat Craig Patterson as what he is...A murderer who took one of the good ones from our life.
