Mother, son recovering following James City County road rage shooting

A mother and son sustained serious injuries following a violent road rage incident in James City County on Saturday afternoon.

Joseph Paul Adams, 44, is facing 24 charges after he allegedly fired at least five shots into a car that was turning onto Centerville Road.

• A criminal complaint filed in James City County’s General District Court stated that the victims’ vehicle was “aggressively approached” by Adams.
• Officials say Adams nearly crashed into the victims’ car, erupted into an angry outburst and then shot the mother and her son.

The incident unfolded just after the victims pulled out of their neighborhood to drive onto Centerville Road. After the shots were fired, the mother was able to drive her vehicle for about a mile until coming to a stop at the intersection of Centerville Road and Monticello Avenue.

• James City County Fire Department responded to reports of two gunshot victims around 3 p.m. and began lifesaving medical treatment. 

Molly Haskin, 45, was airlifted to VCU Medical Center in Richmond with life-threatening injuries. Her 17-year-old son, Luke Haskin, was taken to Riverside Medical Center in Newport News. A third passenger in the car, a juvenile, was not harmed.

• Police conducted a rapid investigation, leading them to realize that Adams had boarded the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry and was heading back to his hometown of Surry. He was taken into custody once the ferry docked on the Surry side of the route.

• WAVY News reports that Adams smelled strongly of alcohol at the time of his arrest. A breath test revealed that his blood alcohol content was .14, nearly twice the legal limit.

Still recovering: Both Molly and Luke have undergone surgery, and Molly is expected to need additional surgeries, according to SwimSwam Magazine​. Luke sustained injuries to his arms, while Molly endured facial wounds.

Outpouring of support: A Meal Train was organized for the Haskin family by the two swim organizations Luke is involved with. The campaign raised over $30,000 as of Friday morning.

• “This family will have a long road to recovery and 757swim, in conjunction with the Jamestown High School Swim Team, wants to do as much as possible to show support from our swim family,” organizers said.

Local officials are reminding the public to take measures to stay as safe as possible if confronted by an aggressive driver. 

According to Tayleb Brooks, James City County’s public information officer, it is vital for drivers to remain calm and avoid engagement if faced with a potential road rage situation. Drivers should create distance between themselves and the aggressor; evade the person by changing lanes, slowing down or finding a safe place to stop; and record and report details about the driver to 911 whenever possible. 

Road rage safety guidance

The James City County police department submitted the below additional guidance for staying safe when encountering road rage.

What to do if you detect an aggressive driver on the roadway:

• Stay Calm and Avoid Engagement: Take a deep breath and focus on driving safely. Resist the urge to let their anger influence your behavior. Avoid making eye contact, yelling, or returning gestures/remarks.
• Give Space: Do not tailgate, speed past, or retaliate against aggressive maneuvers. Instead, maintain a safe distance and allow them to pass.
• Evade: If the driver continues to exhibit aggressive behavior, take proactive measures to distance yourself. Change lanes, slow down until they are out of sight, or find a safe place to stop. If they stop, do not stop to encounter them
• Record and Report: Pay attention to details about the vehicle, driver, their actions, and direction of travel. Contact 911 to report the aggressive driver, providing as much information as possible.

If an aggressive driver confronts you:

• Focus on De-escalation: Your primary goal should be to de-escalate the situation and get away safely. Aggressive drivers can be unpredictable and dangerous, so assume they may be armed or willing to commit acts of violence. Your safety is the top priority in these tense situations.
• Don’t Engage: Stay calm and avoid reacting. Do not attempt to speed past them, brake suddenly, or block them, or drive close to them. Keep your focus on safe driving, so remain in your vehicle and keep the windows rolled up.
• Call for Help: If you feel threatened, call 911. Provide the operator with your location and the aggressive driver’s description, but remain focused on driving.

If you are followed or chased:

• Drive to a Safe Location: If you are being followed, do not go home. Instead, head to a well-lit, populated area such as a police station, gas station, or shopping center.
• Keep Law Enforcement Informed: While being followed, call 911 and stay on the line. Provide accurate, real-time updates so law enforcement can respond effectively.
• Do Not Follow or Chase: Never attempt to follow an aggressive driver, even if they have damaged your vehicle. Confronting them could lead to a more dangerous situation. Instead, contact law enforcement and let them locate the offender.

If you are a bystander/witness in a Road Rage encounter:

• Gather Evidence Safely: If it’s safe, take note of the aggressive driver’s license plate, vehicle description, and any other relevant details. If possible, capture photos or videos to share with authorities later, but only if it does not endanger you or others.
• Report the Incident: Call 911 to report the aggressive driver, providing any information you’ve gathered. Call even if you believe someone else may have, as no others have reported the situation to law enforcement, or the non-aggressor may not have the means to call for help.