State police conclude shooting inquiry
The Virginia State Police says it has wrapped up its investigation into the March 31 shooting of a Crozet-area man by an Albemarle County police officer.
Officer M.J. Easton shot Edgar W. Dawson during an early morning raid of Dawson’s home on Yonder Hill Farm Road in connection with the Interstate 64 sniper shootings.
Police were searching for Dawson’s 16-year-old son and 19-year-old Slade Allen Woodson. Both teens were arrested at Dawson’s farm and were charged with numerous felonies in connection with the shootings.
As the police department’s tactical team attempted to search the residence, they were met by Dawson, who was armed with a firearm, according to police.
Easton — a school resource officer and a six-year veteran of the police department — shot Dawson at least once. Dawson was airlifted to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Easton was placed on administrative duty.
The Virginia State Police conducted an investigation into the incident and has forwarded its findings to Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford, said Sgt. David Cooper with the Virginia State Police.
Lunsford said Monday that she has not yet decided whether charges will be filed in connection with the police shooting. She said she expects to make a decision within a week or so.
Meanwhile, an internal investigation by Albemarle County police is ongoing. Lt. Todd Hopwood of the Albemarle police said that investigation is likely to be finished after Lunsford makes a decision in the case.
Easton remains on desk duty, Hopwood said.
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Reader Reactions
YOU CAN’T BLAME EITHER PARTY FOR THE SHOOTING.AN OFFICER IS TRAINED TO PROTECT OTHERS AS HIMSELF IN BAD SITUATIONS, AND A HOME OWNER WILL DO THE SAME WHEN PROTECTING HIS FAMILY AND PROPERTY..IM SURE THE HOME OWNER HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON AS HIS HOME WAS BEING WHAT HE SURE THOUGHT WAS AN INVASION OF SOME KIND.. ALL WE THE PUBLIC CAN DO IS SPECULATE WHAT TRANSPIRED THAT DAY.AND WILL WE REALLY KNOW THE ACTUAL FACT OF THE MATTER?? MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT,THE DAWSON FAMILY,AND THE COMMONWEALTH, THAT THEY WILL TAKE INTO CONCIDERATION THE FACT THAT THIS FAMILY HAD NO EARTHLY IDEA THEIR SON WAS INVOLVED IN ANY WRONG DOING TO THAT EFFECT, MR DAWSON WAS BEING THE POLICE OFFICER OF HIS HOME AND FAMILY..
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