Group Holds Justice For Julian Demonstration

A group of concerned citizens and family and friends of Julian Dawkins, a 22-year-old Alexandrian shot and killed last week in the city's Lynhaven neighborhood, held a small demonstration outside of the Alexandria Circuit Court Tuesday asking for justice in the case.

• See: Dawkins' Death Ruled a Homicide

The details surrounding Dawkins’ homicide remain unclear. Dawkins was shot following a confrontation early Wednesday morning with off-duty Arlington County 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 the sheriff’s office. He's currently on administrative leave and not in custody. 

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

Police told The Washington Post Patterson was the shooter.

“We have an officer that murdered this kid. Then the officer called in and said he shot the guy,” said Patrick Cooper of Fort Washington, Md., an organizer of Tuesday's demonstration who grew up in Alexandria. “When [Patterson] was given his opportunity, he lawyered up. I think that says a lot. Then the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Mr. [Randy] Sengel, had the audacity to say he isn’t a flight risk or danger to the community. That’s crazy.”

• See: Lynhaven Shooting Suspect Not Considered a Flight Risk

Garrett Harris of Bailey’s Crossroads held up a sign outside the courthouse reading “Every 28 hours a black person is killed by a police!!! Enuff is Enuff.” He said the statistic came from a report from the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.

He said he found out about Dawkins’ death on Thursday, read about the incident on the Internet and felt compelled to get involved.

“This happens so often,” Harris said. “Am I upset [Patterson] isn’t in custody? Yes. Am I surprised? No.”

After Dawkins’ death was ruled a homicide Thursday by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille released a statement urging the community “to be patient, and allow the justice system to do its work.”

Alexandria detectives have consulted with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office regarding whether or not criminal charges should be filed, according to a press release from the Alexandria Police Department. That determination will be made by the Commonwealth’s Attorney following the results of what is expected to be a lengthy investigation.