Judge Finds Probable Cause for First-Degree Murder in Preliminary Hearing

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On January 25, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause to bring two shooting defendant’s cases to trial for a homicide.

Dasani Dawson, 19, and Aaron Walker, 19, are being charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Brian Buxton. The incident occurred on Aug. 9, 2022, on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the preliminary hearing was a multi-day long proceeding. Throughout the hearing, the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) introduced surveillance videos, which allegedly connect Dawson and Walker to an earlier carjacking incident on the same day of the fatal shooting.

The detective identified the defendants in court as those in the videos.

During his testimony, the detective stated that Dawson allegedly googled “how to take apart a Glock 19” after the shooting occurred. According to the detective, several 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene, which are the casings used with a Glock 19.

Judge O’Keefe alerted the parties that, after reviewing the evidence and testimony, he found probable cause that Walker and Dawson were the perpetrators in Buxton’s death, and the prosecution has enough evidence to move the case to trial.

Parties are slated to return May 3.

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