A grand jury indicted Ralph Leon Jackson, 57, on charges related to a shooting incident at the Rock Point Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway last April.
Jackson, of Stuart's Draft, Va., is charged with one count of premeditated murder and one count of using and discharging a firearm in the death of Timothy Phillip Davis, 27, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Timothy Heaphy. Jackson was previously indicted on charges of assault with the intent to commit murder and on charges of discharging a firearm in the shooting of Davis's companion, Christina Shay Floyd, 18.
Davis and Floyd were watching the sunset at the overlook April 5 when Jackson allegedly fired shots at them. Floyd sustained shotgun wounds to her upper body, while Davis also sustained wounds and fell about 150 feet off a cliff. Floyd survived the attack, but Davis passed away from his injuries.
The charges filed Wednesday against Jackson supersede his earlier indictment in Floyd's case, which was filed in September.
If convicted, Jackson could face the maximum sentence of the death penalty, according to the press release.
-compiled by Caroline Newman
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