A 16-year-old can now face adult charges in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Skylar Powell.
According to the Associated Press, Gabriel Dawson was certified Wednesday in Buchanan County Juvenile Court to stand trial as an adult in the case. The teen previously had faced a juvenile charge of second-degree murder.
Dawson is one of five suspects charged after Powell’s body was found in a parking lot near 22nd and Frederick May 18. Prosecutors believe the victim was killed during a drug transaction and attempted robbery.
Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins said the case is being submitted to the prosecutor’s office today as the teen has now been certified. Scroggins said they have 24 hours to make a charge decision. He said he expects to do something within that time frame.
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