More than 15 years ago, Dayton James Webber’s story was featured by ESPN as an inspirational piece. This week the champion cornhole player was arrested, and he’s expected to be charged with first-degree murder, according to authorities.
According to the 2010 article from ESPN, then 12-year-old Webber, played football, wrestled and climbed trees, all without feet and hands. It explained that Webber’s limbs were amputated due to a bacterial infection that turned aggressive when he was just 10 months old. Three years ago, he was featured by ESPN for being a competitive cornhole player.
In 2020, Audacy also reported on Webber, who is now 27. He was reportedly arrested after a DUI crash in Maryland. That’s the state where Webber was taken into custody this week, according to the Charles County Sheriff’s Department.
It said in a press release that Webber had been driving a vehicle with three passengers on Sunday, March 22. Two of the passengers were reportedly in the back and one was in the front. All occupants were known to each other, the sheriff’s office said.
At approximately 10:25 p.m. Sunday, the two passengers who were reportedly in the back seat flagged down officers from the La Plata Police Department, near the area of La Plata Road and Radio Station Road in La Plata, Md. A preliminary investigation indicated that they fled the vehicle after Webber allegedly shot the front seat passenger – identified as Bradrick Michael Wells, 27 – during an argument.
Though WJLA noted that some people had questions about how Webber was able to shoot the gun, it said Charles County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Diane Richardson pointed to his YouTube channel. She said it has footage of Webber shooting guns.
Soon after the backseat passengers alerted police, Charles County Sheriff’s patrol officers responded and assisted in canvassing the locations. Within two hours, a resident in the 10000 block of Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall, Md., called 9-1-1 to report a body in a yard.
When officers responded, they found Wells, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office then obtained a warrant for Webber’s arrest.
His car was found in Charlottesville, Va., and Webber was found at a nearby hospital seeking treatment for a medical issue. Upon his release, Webber was arrested by officers with the Albemarle County Police Department and was charged as a fugitive from justice. As of Monday, he was awaiting extradition back to Charles County, where authorities said he will be charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and other related charges.
“Anyone with additional details about this case is asked to call Det. R. Johnson at 301-609-6453,” said the sheriff’s department. “Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. The investigation is ongoing.”
