Sniper suspect waives preliminary hearing

An Afton teenager charged in connection with March’s Interstate 64 shootings will face a grand jury June 2.

Slade A. Woodson, 19, briefly appeared in court Thursday morning to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. A judge certified 15 charges against him, allowing his case to be sent to an Albemarle grand jury.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford said the county had been prepared to call witnesses and police for a hearing, but had been notified prior to Thursday’s court date that the hearing wouldn’t go forward.

“We will set a trial date June 2 if not before,” Lunsford said.

Public defender Jim Hingeley declined to comment Thursday on Woodson’s court appearance.

Woodson and 16-year-old Brandon Dawson were charged with 15 felonies in connection with the sniper fire, which shut down the interstate and Albemarle schools for a day. Police said several vehicles and a few homes were shot with a Ruger .22-caliber Magnum rifle early March 27. Two people were slightly injured.

Woodson is being held without bond at the Middle River Regional Jail in Verona. Thursday was his first in-person appearance in Albemarle County General District Court, as he had previously appeared via video link.

If convicted of all charges, Woodson could face more than 100 years in prison. He also faces six indictments in Waynesboro in connection with shots fired at a car, home and bank on March 27.

Dawson pleaded guilty to eight charges earlier this month in Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and is scheduled to return to court May 28 for sentencing. Dawson has been held at the Blue Ridge Detention Center since his March 28 arrest, and could face a sentence of detainment until he turns 21. A judge previously denied a request to have him tried as an adult.

Dawson also faces additional charges in Waynesboro stemming from March 27 shootings at an occupied house and a credit union. Those charges are pending in Waynesboro Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.