What Happened
Arlington County police arrested Adrian Dwight Taylor, 51, in connection with gunfire at the Gunston Middle School basketball court on July 25, according to the department. Police said officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of 28th Street South shortly before 10 p.m. after a report of gunshots, and investigators determined Taylor had been playing basketball with several other people before becoming involved in a verbal dispute with multiple people on the court. Following the argument, Taylor retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and fired multiple rounds toward the occupied court, where numerous individuals, many of them juveniles, remained present, according to police.
Charges Filed
Taylor faces nine counts of attempted malicious wounding, each listed as a Class 5 felony, according to Arlington General District Court records. He also faces charges of shooting a firearm on school grounds, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, police and court records show. Court filings identify 14 separate cases associated with the incident, all listing July 25 as the offense date and Monday as the arrest date.
Arrest And Court Proceedings
Taylor was taken into custody early Monday in the 2400 block of South Army Navy Drive, in the Arlington Ridge area less than a mile from Gunston Middle School, and was being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility. He appeared for an arraignment Tuesday and the cases were continued until Oct. 5. A preliminary hearing on the felony charges is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. that day in Courtroom 3B, with the misdemeanor reckless-handling charge set for an adjudicatory hearing at the same time and place. The court records list Taylor as being in custody and represented by the public defender's office.
What Remains Uncertain
Police said no injuries or property damage were reported, but the investigation remains active. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified, and authorities are asking victims, witnesses, and others with information to contact ACPD's tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected], or to submit information anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). No disposition or plea was listed in the court records reviewed Tuesday, and charges are allegations, with Taylor presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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