LA PLATA, Md. — A Charles County judge ordered Dayton James Webber held without bond Wednesday following a bail review hearing in a high-profile homicide case stemming from a fatal shooting last month.
Webber, 27, of La Plata, was extradited back to Maryland on March 31 after being taken into custody in Virginia. He is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and use of a firearm in a violent crime in connection with the March 22, 2026, death of Bradrick Michael Wells.
During the April 1, 2026, hearing in Charles District Court, Judge Patrick J. Devine ruled that Webber would be held without bond as the case moves forward.
Prosecutors argued Webber poses a danger to the community and a flight risk, citing the use of a firearm during an alleged argument inside a vehicle and his subsequent travel out of state before being apprehended. Authorities previously said Webber fled the scene with the victim still inside the vehicle before the victim was later found deceased in the Charlotte Hall area.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred during a verbal dispute, during which Webber allegedly fired at Wells while he was seated in the passenger seat. Investigators also referenced statements from witnesses who were inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors indicated the argument may have stemmed from a dispute involving a stolen firearm and prior tensions between individuals connected to both Webber and Wells.
Prosecutors also referenced a prior incident, stating that during an earlier encounter, Webber allegedly fired a gun from a second-story window as the victim was leaving his residence.
Webber’s defense attorney argued the shooting was an act of self-defense, stating Webber “acted immediately in defense of his life” and was “terrified” at the time of the incident. The defense said additional evidence will be presented to support that claim as the case proceeds.
Following the hearing, both the defense and prosecutors addressed media outside the courthouse, reiterating their positions.
Webber remains held at the Charles County Detention Center.
A hearing is set for May 6, 2026, in Charles District Court.
The case remains under investigation.
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This is Maryland, there is no self defense statue
That self-defense argument doesn’t have a leg to stand on. I’m genuinely stumped that his team would even allow such an argument. This type of person should have disarmed a long time ago and this could have been avoided. Sorry for such shorthanded comments.
They should chop off his hands so he can never fire a gun again!
There were 2 witnesses literally in the car at the time of the murder, unless they somehow don’t testify or they lie, we’ll know the truth sooner or later
Dayton Webber is a DRUNK!!