In the early morning hours of November 12, 2022, Demetrious Levar Graham, a 44-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was driving in the area of Morgan Court and Old Triangle Road in Dumfries, Virginia. It was shortly after 5:30 a.m. when the quiet of the neighborhood was shattered by the sound of multiple gunshots. Graham was struck several times by the gunfire while still in the driver's seat of his vehicle.
After being shot, his vehicle continued to move, rolling across the street before coming to a stop against a parked car. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Graham unconscious. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial investigation by the Prince William County Police Department began with canvassing the area and speaking to anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or heard the gunshots. A police K-9 unit was also brought in to search the area, but no other individuals were located at that time.
Investigators later released surveillance footage that captured a suspect in the vicinity at the time of the shooting. The video showed an armed individual, who was not wearing a shirt and had his face covered, walking along the sidewalk. This individual was seen firing multiple rounds at Graham's vehicle before fleeing the scene on foot.
Months later, on May 18, 2023, a break in the case came when detectives apprehended a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect was identified as an 18-year-old male from Dumfries. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the incident, his name was not publicly released. The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute the suspect had with a family member in a nearby home, and he had allegedly sought out Graham following that altercation.
The teen was charged with murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a juvenile. He was served with the charges when he appeared in court for a separate, unrelated matter. Authorities have stated that they believe this was an isolated incident and are not seeking any other suspects in connection with the murder of Demetrious Levar Graham. The suspect is being charged as a juvenile and was being held without bond pending his court date.
