Dayton James Webber, a 27-year-old quadruple amputee professional cornhole player from La Plata, Maryland, made headlines in recent days not for his athletic achievements, but for a tragic incident in which he has been charged with fatally shooting a friend.
Webber has long been known as an inspiring figure who overcame profound adversity. Born in June 1998, he contracted a severe streptococcus pneumoniae blood infection as an infant. At just 10 months old, doctors amputated all four of his limbs to save his life, giving him only a 3% chance of survival. He spent four months in the hospital battling the infection but ultimately recovered.
Despite losing his hands and feet, Webber adapted remarkably, teaching himself everyday skills such as writing, picking up objects, driving go-karts, and even shooting firearms. He discovered a passion for cornhole around age 8 and dedicated himself to the game. By 2021, he turned professional in the American Cornhole League (ACL), becoming the first quadruple amputee to compete at that level. He won two Maryland state titles, qualified for the World Cornhole Championships, and trained rigorously for hours each day, often competing from a hoverboard. In a 2023 essay, he reflected on his journey of defying odds and encouraging others with disabilities to pursue their dreams through adaptation and determination.
On the evening of March 22, 2026, authorities say Webber was driving a vehicle in Charles County, Maryland—specifically in the area of La Plata and Charlotte Hall—with three friends inside. Bradrick Michael Wells, 27, of Waldorf, sat in the front passenger seat, while two others were in the back. All four were acquaintances. During a heated argument, Webber allegedly shot Wells twice in the head, killing him. Webber then pulled over and asked the backseat passengers to help remove the body, but they refused, exited the vehicle, and flagged down law enforcement. Webber drove away with Wells’ body still inside. The victim’s body was later discovered in a front yard on Newport Church Road in Charlotte Hall around 12:41 a.m. on March 23.
Webber fled to Virginia and was arrested early Monday morning in Charlottesville, where he was located at a hospital. He was charged as a fugitive from justice and later arraigned in Charles County District Court. According to charging documents, he faces first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remains in custody in Virginia pending extradition, with a next court date scheduled for March 27.
The American Cornhole League acknowledged the allegations in a statement, noting the seriousness of the matter and extending thoughts to Wells’ family.
This case has drawn widespread attention due to Webber’s unique profile as an athlete who had previously been celebrated in media profiles for his resilience and accomplishments. As the legal process unfolds, details about the argument and events remain under investigation.
SOURCES:
Quadruple amputee, cornhole pro charged with murder | FOX 5 DC
Ex-teammate of quadruple amputee US cornhole pro accused of murder says case shocks him | Maryland | The Guardian
Quadruple amputee cornhole professional jailed on murder charges – The Athletic
Quadruple amputee and bean-bag-toss champion Dayton Webber accused in fatal shooting
A quadruple amputee inspired others through cornhole. He’s now accused of murder. – The Washington Post
