Dayton James Webber, 27, a nationally known quadruple-amputee who built a career as a professional cornhole player, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder after a fatal shooting in La Plata, Maryland, on Sunday. The victim, 27-year-old Bradrick Michael Wells, was shot while seated in the front of a vehicle near Radio Station Road and Llano Drive, according to investigators. Deputies say Webber drove away with the wounded passenger still in the car; Wells’s body was later found in a yard on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall shortly after midnight. Webber was located at a Charlottesville-area hospital, arrested by Albemarle County officers after release, and is expected to be extradited to Charles County to face charges.
Key Takeaways
- Defendant: Dayton James Webber, 27, a quadruple amputee and professional cornhole competitor who won a Maryland State Championship and appeared on ESPN.
- Victim: Bradrick Michael Wells, 27, was shot inside a vehicle Sunday night in La Plata, Charles County, Md.
- Charges: Webber faces first- and second-degree murder counts filed by Charles County authorities; extradition from Virginia is pending.
- Timeline: Shooting occurred Sunday evening near Radio Station Road and Llano Drive; a body was reported just after midnight on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall.
- Aftermath: Two passengers left the scene and flagged La Plata police before 10:30 p.m.; Webber later sought medical treatment in Charlottesville and was arrested as a fugitive.
- Investigation: Detectives are seeking witnesses and tips at 301-609-6453 or anonymously via Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Background
Webber rose to public attention after severe medical complications in infancy. In a 2023 essay for the Today show he recounted that doctors amputated his arms and legs at 10 months to save his life after a serious blood infection, and that his medical team initially gave him just a 3% chance of survival. He later pursued adaptive athletics and became a prominent figure in cornhole, winning a Maryland State Championship and competing in American Cornhole League events with national television appearances on ESPN and a profile on “SC Featured.”
The American Cornhole League (ACL) has increasingly promoted tournaments and televised matches in recent years, elevating a small competitive circuit to national exposure. Webber’s story has been covered repeatedly by mainstream outlets and by the ACL, which has spotlighted athletes with disabilities as the sport grows. For local law enforcement, the case shifts attention from an inspiring athletic narrative to a criminal investigation that spans two states—Maryland and Virginia—raising routine procedural issues around arrest, medical treatment, and extradition.
Main Event
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Webber was driving with three passengers Sunday night when an argument broke out inside the vehicle. Deputies say Webber fatally shot Bradrick Michael Wells, who was seated in the front passenger seat, during that dispute. Webber then pulled the car over and reportedly asked the other two passengers to help remove Wells from the vehicle; those passengers declined and left the scene.
The two passengers reached La Plata police just before 10:30 p.m. to report the incident, while Webber drove off with the wounded man still inside the car, investigators said. Just after midnight a resident on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall called 911 after finding a body in their yard; responding officers identified the deceased as Wells. The sequence of events between the stop and the body being discovered is a focus of the ongoing probe.
Webber later presented at a Charlottesville-area hospital seeking treatment for a medical issue. Albemarle County police arrested him after he was released from care and booked him as a fugitive; Charles County officials say he will be extradited to Maryland to face murder charges. Detectives have asked anyone with information to contact their tip line at 301-609-6453 or use Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Analysis & Implications
The filing of both first- and second-degree murder counts indicates prosecutors are pursuing a thorough case that could involve claims of premeditation or alternative mental states; first-degree murder typically carries the most serious penalties if convictions follow. Extradition from Virginia to Maryland is a routine interstate process, but it can add weeks to pretrial timelines while authorities coordinate custody and legal hearings. The fact that Webber sought medical attention in Virginia complicates the timeline and will require medical records and hospital staff interviews as part of evidence collection.
Beyond legal mechanics, the case places an adaptive-sports figure in an adversarial national spotlight, and organizations connected to the athlete face reputational and operational choices. The American Cornhole League issued a brief statement acknowledging awareness of the charges and expressing concern for those affected; event organizers and sponsors will likely reassess messaging and any immediate relationships pending the outcome of legal proceedings. News coverage may also shape public perception long before evidence is fully developed, underscoring the importance of distinguishing confirmed facts from speculation.
Investigators will look to physical evidence—ballistics, shell casings, vehicle forensics—and to witness statements from the two passengers who left the scene. Toxicology and autopsy results, along with video or phone records if available, will be central to establishing sequence and intent. The case is also likely to test evidentiary lines about who had access to a weapon in the car and whether the shooting occurred inside or outside the vehicle.
Comparison & Data
| Achievement | Level | Public exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland State Championship | State title | Regional recognition |
| American Cornhole League competition | National circuit | Event coverage, ACL channels |
| ESPN televised matches & “SC Featured” | National broadcast | Broad mainstream visibility |
The table above summarizes Webber’s documented public milestones to date: a state championship, participation on the national ACL circuit, and national TV exposure that increased his profile. Those milestones explain why the case has drawn attention beyond typical local criminal matters: an athlete with nationally televised appearances often attracts wider media and public interest. However, athletic achievement bears no legal weight in the criminal process; courts will evaluate evidence and procedure irrespective of public profile.
Reactions & Quotes
“We are aware of the charges and are sending our thoughts to those impacted by this situation,”
American Cornhole League (organization statement)
“Doctors amputated my arms and legs when I was 10 months old to save my life,”
Dayton Webber (2023 essay for the Today show)
“We are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact detectives,”
Charles County Sheriff’s Office (investigative notice)
Unconfirmed
- Whether the shooting was intentional, accidental, or defensive is not yet established publicly and remains subject to evidence developed by detectives and prosecutors.
- Motives for the argument inside the vehicle have not been confirmed by authorities and have not been established in charging documents released to date.
- Specific forensic details—such as ballistics matches, surveillance footage, or full toxicology reports—have not been disclosed publicly and are pending investigative work.
Bottom Line
This case has combined an unusual human-interest backdrop—an athlete who overcame severe early-life medical trauma and achieved national exposure—with a serious criminal allegation that will proceed through a standard investigative and judicial process. The charges are grave, and extradition from Virginia to Maryland means pretrial procedures will play out across jurisdictions while evidence is assembled.
Readers should expect a mix of legal filings, forensic results, witness interviews, and organizational responses in the weeks ahead. For now, the presumption of innocence remains a central legal principle; investigators are asking for tips at 301-609-6453 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS to help corroborate timelines and statements.