Justin Wilson, 20, pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and three other weapon related charges in connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old Freddy Bernard Hawkins.
Wilson appeared in court alongside Reese Williams, who was arraigned for seven charges including accessory after the fact, weapons charges, and fleeing law enforcement.
Hawkins was found by police outside a Valero gas station near the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street, Northwest on October 26, 2013. He was suffering from gunshot wounds and transported to the hospital along with another victim who survived the shooting.
Charging documents state that police believe Wilson and Williams were at the gas station with two others that night to buy cigarettes and a drink. Wilson said that Hawkins was behind him in line at the gas station when Hawkins started talking to the men and pushing Wilson.
According to Wilson, Hawkin asked, “What up with ya’ll? Ya’ll got some money? Ya’ll got some pot? I smell it.”
Wilson told police he tried to ignore Hawkins but he said Hawkins began “pushing up on” him and threatening to take his stuff. According to Wilson, he saw something “bulky” in Hawkins’s waistband.
Wilson said that when he grabbed for a handgun that he had on him, Hawkins took something out of his waistband. Then, Wilson told police he shot Hawkins twice and might have shot another person at the scene.
At preliminary hearing, an MPD detective testified that no guns or weapons were found at the gas station.
A status hearing is scheduled for June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
An electronic copy of the indictment is below.
