Julian Dawkins, the shuttle driver for PBS NewsHour‘s Arlington, Va. employees, was fatally shot Tuesday night in Alexandria, Va., by an off-duty deputy sheriff. He was 22.
Dawkins’ death was first reported by WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C.’s ABC affiliate, early today. PBS NewsHour and MacNeil/Lehrer Productions spokesperson Anne Bell confirmed his employment with the organization later that day. He had been working for the NewsHour since June 2010.
“Julian was a hard worker and very dedicated to the NewsHour,” said Linda Winslow, e.p. “We are deeply saddened by the news of Julian’s death and our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Dawkins was cousin to Washington Mystics guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, who was signed to the team April 25. He had gone out earlier that evening to celebrate her making the team, his mother, Gwen Pratt Miller, told WUSA-TV, Washington, D.C.’s CBS affiliate.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known, and the investigation is ongoing.