In the quiet, early morning hours of September 28, 2017, the community of Dadeville, Alabama, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of John Farrel Adamson, a 27-year-old Black man. The tranquility of Jah Street was pierced by the sound of multiple gunshots around 12:47 a.m., prompting a series of 911 calls. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Adamson and another man, Gerald A. Haggerty, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both men were rushed to Lake Martin Community Hospital for medical attention, but Adamson tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The Dadeville Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation, and their efforts quickly led to the identification of suspects. The day after the shooting, on September 29, 2017, 22-year-old Dazmon Notorious Shaw of Camp Hill turned himself in to the authorities and was charged with one count of murder. A few days later, on October 4, the investigation led to the arrest of a second suspect, 18-year-old Tavorick Laquaz 'Qua' Black of Dadeville, who was also charged with murder. Shortly after, a third man, 21-year-old Daquon Denzel Sheeley of Jacksons Gap, was taken into custody and charged with murder as well; he was also held on a probation violation. In addition to the murder charge, Tavorick Black faced a charge of attempted murder for the injuries sustained by Gerald Haggerty.
As the legal process unfolded, details emerged suggesting potential motives behind the violent encounter. Warrants indicated that Black was allegedly involved in a robbery at the time of the shooting, while Shaw was reportedly attempting to distribute a controlled substance. All three men were scheduled for an initial court appearance on November 9, 2017. The community waited as the cases against the accused progressed through the justice system. In August of 2019, it was reported that all three suspects were still awaiting trial for their alleged roles in Adamson's death.
Finally, a measure of justice was delivered for the families of John Farrel Adamson and Gerald Haggerty. Daquon Denzel Sheeley was convicted for his part in the deadly shooting. For the murder of Adamson, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He received an additional 20-year sentence for the attempted murder of Haggerty, with the sentences to be served consecutively, totaling 70 years of incarceration. While the legal outcomes for Dazmon Notorious Shaw and Tavorick Laquaz Black are not publicly documented, the conviction of Sheeley marked a significant step in holding accountable those responsible for the untimely death of John Farrel Adamson.
