Dawlton Dale Blankenship, 24, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was mortally wounded in a June 26, 2026, shooting in the parking lot of Brushfork Elementary School on Brushfork School Road. Troopers were dispatched around 8:56 p.m. after Mercer County 911 received reports of gunfire. Witnesses reported multiple shots and vehicles speeding away; troopers found what appeared to be blood at the scene. Blankenship was struck in the head, taken for emergency treatment and later transferred to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Hospital officials reportedly confirmed his death on June 28 after doctors determined his injuries were not survivable.

The confrontation was not described as random. According to the criminal complaint, Blankenship was traveling with three others after allegedly exchanging threatening messages and arranging to meet another group at the school for a fight. Investigators identified Terrence Shade Thomas, Terrence Charles Thomas and Bradley Scott Billings as the other group. Troopers say Shade Thomas acknowledged firing multiple rounds and admitted one shot struck Blankenship; a 9mm handgun was later recovered. All three men were arrested and have faced murder- and conspiracy-related charges as the investigation proceeded.

Did anyone in the Brushfork area witness the encounter or see the vehicles described that evening?