Schools

One Third-Grade Class, Two Homicide Victims 13 Years Apart

Julian Dawkins, who died of a gunshot wound last week, was in the same third-grade class as Kevin Shifflett, the victim of one of the most grisly crimes in Alexandria's history.

11:30 p.m. Thursday update — Arlington County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Patterson has been arrested and charged with murder in the homicide of Julian Dawkins.

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Julian Dawkins, the 22-year-old homicide victim killed last week in Lynhaven, was in the same third-grade class at Mount Vernon Community School as Kevin Shifflett, the victim of one of the most grisly crimes in Alexandria's history.

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“It’s just so weird,” said Ruth Brannigan, the teacher of both students the year Shifflett was murdered. “The odds are defiant. … Kevin is remembered quite deeply. And Julian will be, too." 

In April 2000, Shifflett, 8, was stabbed to death while playing in the front yard of a relative's Del Ray home, according to The Washington Post. Following a two-month investigation by Alexandria police, Gregory Murphy was arrested for the murder. Murphy had been paroled from prison 12 days prior to the gruesome stabbing. Two people attempting to defend Shifflett were also injured in the attack. 

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Murphy has been found to be too mentally ill to stand trial every six months since his arrest. His next hearing is July 11.  

“The thing that connects them at this point is that they both died violent street deaths for different reasons,” Brannigan said. “And that just doesn’t speak to our community. That startles us.”

The details of Dawkins’ death remain foggy. He was shot in the 100 block of Lynhaven Drive—about a mile from where Shifflett was murdered on E. Custis Avenue—following an early morning confrontation 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, a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. Police told The Washington Post Patterson was the shooter.

Brannigan, who still teaches at MVCS, said she became very close with that third-grade class following Shifflett’s murder. Many of her students stay in touch with her on Facebook.

“We bonded tremendously trying to get through that together,” she said.

Brannigan remembered Dawkins as a fun, bubbly third-grader who enjoyed making other people laugh. In recent years, Brannigan said she would see him off and on. They had their way of saying hello, she said.

“He was growing into such a handsome, wonderful man and he was really coming into full flower,” Brannigan said. “It’s such a shame to not see him finish that process. My heart goes out to his mother. I have one child and I can’t fathom it.”

Dawkins was a well-liked member of his class at T.C. Williams High School. After graduation, he began working as a shuttle driver for PBS NewsHour.

“He was a fantastic employee,” said Mike Melia, senior broadcast producer with NewsHour. “He was incredibly hardworking and had one of the rare positions with NewsHour in that he dealt with everyone on a daily basis, from senior staff to desk assistants. … Obviously we’re all deeply saddened by his death and we are eager for information about his death.”

The homicide prompted an editorial from The Washington Post titled "Alexandria residents, Julian Dawkins's family need answers." Gwen Ifill, a senior correspondent with NewsHour, published a piece about Dawkins on the show's news blog.    

An investigation into Dawkins' homicide is ongoing. Mayor Bill Euille has asked the public to be patient.

On Tuesday, concerned citizens and friends of Dawkins demonstrated in front of the Alexandria Circuit Court on King Street demanding justice in the case.  

“Kevin’s death had its effect that it really galvanized the city,” Brannigan said. “And in a way, Julian’s death is doing the same. It’s in different effects, but it’s pulling people together.”

Dawkins' funeral services are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday at Antioch Church of Christ on Queen Street.


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