A late-night party-turned-gunbattle in Goochland County left one of the alleged shooters behind bars without bond yesterday, charged with first-degree murder and firearms violations.

But defense attorney Shannon Taylor said she will appeal the decision Friday to a higher court, and she believes Kwamane G. Davis likely feared for his life when he saw a cousin gunned down from behind at a Goochland party.

Davis, 21, surrendered to authorities Sept. 13, about 22 hours after authorities believe he shot 24-year-old Goochland resident Dwayne R. Hardy in the back of the head with a shotgun.

According to Goochland investigators, Hardy had fired three rounds from a .38-caliber handgun into the back of Alvin Daniels, Davis’ cousin. Daniels survived but was left paralyzed.

A search warrant states that more gunfire came from a passing vehicle outside the home, in the 3600 block of Hadensville-Fife Road.

“As the vehicle drove past the residence, the passenger of the vehicle fired multiple shots from the passenger-side window,” says the search warrant, filed last week in Henrico County. The document states that four shots struck a red pickup truck parked in the yard directly in front of the house.

Willie Cosby, who had been sleeping in the truck, received a minor wound in the leg from one of the gunshots, according to the search warrant. Goochland investigators have recovered a weapon that may have been used in that shooting, and the search warrant identifies two individuals who apparently were in the truck. Neither has been charged with a crime.

In court yesterday, Judge Edward K. Carpenter of Goochland General District Court declined to set bond for Davis, citing the seriousness of the charges against him, as well as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Nancy Oglesby’s argument that there was no indication that Davis was in immediate danger or being threatened when he opened fire.

Oglesby said there are indications that some people at the party may have some sort of gang affiliation.

As many as 100 people had converged on the home where the shootings took place, several hours after the home had been the site of a baby shower. Oglesby said a dance floor had been set up with a DJ.

Hardy had attended Goochland public schools and was the father of a son.

Bill McKelway is a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch