CHARLOTTESVILLE -- The former Albemarle County resident charged in the sniper-style shootings along Interstate 64 waived his preliminary hearing for the 15 felony counts against him.

Slade Allen Woodson, 19, made a brief appearance in Albemarle County General District Court in handcuffs and chains and donning an orange Middle River Regional Jail jumpsuit.

Substitute Judge James S. Farmer certified the charges against Woodson to a grand jury scheduled to meet June 2.

Authorities believe Woodson and 16-year-old Brandon Dawson went on a shooting spree just after midnight on March 27 on I-64 west of Charlottesville and in Waynesboro. Two motorists suffered minor injuries from the gunfire.

Dawson, who lives in the Crozet area of western Albemarle County, pleaded guilty in Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to eight counts against him. He will be sentenced this month as a youth for five counts of shooting into occupied vehicles.

Woodson faces those charges plus others that include malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and shooting into occupied homes. The duo faces four additional, similar counts in Waynesboro.

Contact staff writer Calvin R. Trice at (540) 932-3674 or ctrice@timesdispatch.com