Mobile, Alabama — In a heartrending incident that marred Mardi Gras festivities, a teenage boy with autism was fatally shot, and his mother severely wounded in Mobile, prompting serious criminal charges against the alleged assailant. The case involving Dashon Mosley, who appeared in Mobile County court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing, has been forwarded to the grand jury after the charges against him were escalated to murder and attempted murder following the victim’s death.
The tragic event unfolded on March 7 when 17-year-old Bradley Lewis and his mother, Benita Clausell, were visiting relatives in Mobile to participate in the Mardi Gras celebrations. According to family members and law enforcement, the shooting took place just as they were exiting their car to enter a relative’s home. Traci Preyer, Clausell’s cousin, recounted that immediately after Bradley rang the doorbell, gunshots were heard, resulting in his immediate collapse while Clausell was also struck by gunfire.
Mobile Police Department Corporal Micheal Ellzey provided insights into the circumstances and Mosley’s disposition on the night of the incident during the court proceedings. He depicted Mosley as paranoid and delusional, mistakenly believing his home was being invaded and that people were conspiring against him. This state of mind led Mosley to ascend onto a rooftop on Cecilia Street and indiscriminately open fire, with police later discovering several shell casings in that location.
Further intensifying the court’s scrutiny, surveillance footage was mentioned, showing Mosley armed with an AK-47 rifle standing over the victims, as per the testimony. This piece of evidence plays a critical role in illustrating the severity and premeditation of the attack.
Corporal Ellzey also touched upon Mosley’s substance use, mentioning that Mosley had confessed to consuming marijuana on the day of the shooting. However, Ellzey expressed skepticism about Mosley’s claims of perceived threats against him, suggesting that the drug use did not justify his extreme reactions.
Adding to Mosley’s legal woes, it was revealed that he was already out on bond for a prior robbery charge at the time of the shooting. The repercussions of his latest actions were immediate, with Judge Moore revoking Mosley’s bond during Thursday’s court session, effectively detaining him pending further legal proceedings.
The heartbreak was palpable in court, especially as Clausell, still navigating her physical recovery in a wheelchair, attended the hearing. Although she opted not to provide a statement, her emotional distress was evident to all present, underscoring the profound impact of the violent act on her and her family.
As the case progresses through the legal system, the community and the affected family continue to grapple with the dual weights of loss and justice, hoping for a resolution that fully addresses the tragedy of that fateful day. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can abruptly turn a festive season into a period of mourning and calls for a meticulous examination of public safety measures during significant public events.