FBI, police seek help in solving 2012 murder case
$20,000 reward offered by authorities for info leading to an arrest
Four years have past since Martin Hawkins Jr., 32, was shot and killed as he walked home from a friend’s house in La Plata. Now, the FBI is teaming up with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to help solve the case, offering an additional $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, bringing the total reward up to $20,000.
At 5 p.m. Friday, FBI and sheriff’s office investigators will be searching the area where Hawkins was killed in hopes of developing new leads.
On April 18, 2012, around 8:30 p.m., sheriff’s officers responded to the 200 block of Kent Avenue in La Plata
for the report of multiple gunshots. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Hawkins had been shot to death.
Detectives canvassed the area, fielded numerous calls from local residents, pursued multiple different leads and identified one possible suspect but lacked pertinent information to solidify the case.
Someone called Crime Solvers shortly after the shooting and provided important information about the case, and investigators would like to hear from that caller again, police said in 2013.
A month after the shooting, Nicole Hawkins spoke with the Maryland Independent.
Her brother suffered through abuse and neglect during his childhood, she said, and he had been trying to change his life for the better, attending church regularly, before he was gunned down. Rumors surfaced in the neighborhood that her brother’s shooter may have been a man with whom he had previously quarreled with, she added.
Anyone who has information about the incident are asked to call the FBI at 410-265-8080 or the Charles County Sheriff’s office at 301-609-6515. Tipsters may also contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com.