Shawn Roane

Shawn Roane was a 53-year-old entrepreneur and carpenter from King William County, Virginia, where he had attended King William High School. A Black man known in his community, his life was cut short in the late spring of 2024.

On the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2024, the King William County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls that brought deputies to the 2200 block of Mt. Olive Cohoke Road at 8:46 p.m. At the scene, which was reportedly the same road where Mr. Roane lived, they discovered him inside a vehicle. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Responding personnel from King William County Fire and EMS pronounced him dead.

Another man, identified as 61-year-old Donald Dabney of King William County, was also present when authorities arrived. A news release from the sheriff’s office stated that Dabney remained on the scene and was cooperative with the investigation. He was subsequently taken into custody.

Mr. Dabney was charged with possession of a firearm by a non-violent felon and was ordered to be held without bail. At the time of his arrest, investigators said that more charges were pending. As of May 2024, the case was proceeding through the legal system. The King William Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 804-769-0999.