Lynhaven Shooting Suspect Not Considered a Flight Risk

The off-duty Arlington County sheriff’s deputy who police say was involved in the homicide of 22-year-old Julian Dawkins early Wednesday in Alexandria’s Lynhaven neighborhood is not being held in custody because he is not considered a flight risk by authorities, according to WUSA9.

• See: Dawkins' Death Ruled a Homicide

Dawkins was shot following an early morning confrontation with Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Patterson, police said. Dawkins died after being transported to the hospital.

No charges have been filed against Patterson, an Alexandria resident and 17-year veteran of Arlington’s sheriff’s office. He's currently on administrative leave. 

• See: Alexandria Police ID Victim in Lynhaven Shooting

Police told The Washington Post Patterson was the shooter.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel told WUSA9 he is meeting with detectives to determine if charges will be filed. That determination will be made following the results of what is expected to be a lengthy investigation, according to a press release from the Alexandria Police Department.

According to WUSA9:

When Sengel was asked why the sheriff's deputy was not being held in jail, Sengel replied that it is not uncommon for him to still be free. According to Sengel, the deputy is not a flight risk nor does he appear to be a danger to society.

Patterson was an "Employee of the Quarter" for the sheriff's office in 2012. 

Police continue to investigate the case and are interviewing witnesses in order to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.

• See: Police Interviewing Arlington Sheriff's Deputy in Suspicious Death Case

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille released a statement Thursday night urging the community “to be patient, and allow the justice system to do its work.”

Dawkins’ friends erected a memorial to him at the corner of Lynhaven Drive and Evans Lane, near where he was shot. Some have been wearing shirts with Dawkins’ photo.

A man standing near the memorial who identified himself as a friend of Dawkins said he didn’t understand why someone would have shot the 22-year-old. The friend, who said he wasn’t around the night of the incident, asked not to be identified.

Dawkins, a shuttle driver with PBS NewsHour, was at his aunt’s house in Lynhaven to celebrate his cousin Tierra Ruffin-Pratt earning a spot on the Washington Mystics, according to The Washington Post. After the celebration, he was seen arguing with a man and later chased him down the street.

Mike Melia, senior broadcast producer with NewsHour, said Dawkins was a shy, hardworking employee when he started his driving job three years ago. But once he opened up, coworkers found him to be a "kind soul." 

"Julian was a very kind and gracious soul and person in all his interactions," said Melia. "I am shocked and troubled by his death and deeply saddened. And I am eager like others to receive as much information as possible about his death and the situation that led up to it."  

Friends in Alexandria said Dawkins, a nephew of Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins, was a well-liked member of his class at T.C. Williams High School, where he also played basketball.

“Julian Dawkins was always the class clown. He would do anything to make you laugh,” former classmate Hillary Glass wrote in a message to Patch. “In high school, if he didn't know you and you said hello he would pretend he knew you, shake your hand and say what’s up. Everyone wanted to know Julian Dawkins because whether you had class with him or you passed him in the hall he always had a smile on this face and an aura around him that everyone admired."