Justin Wilson | Homicide Watch DC

Justin Wilson Charged With First-Degree Murder For Freddy Bernard Hawkins Shooting

Kristian Hernandez — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:44:37 -0400

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.

Justin Wilson Indictment Docs (PDF)Justin Wilson Indictment Docs (Text)

Judge: Probable Cause that Justin Wilson Killed Freddy Hawkins

Ivan Natividad — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:44:49 -0500

An MPD detective testified Thursday that no guns or weapons were found at the Valero gas station on Florida Avenue where 28-year-old Freddy Hawkins was shot and killed late last month.

Justin Wilson , a suspect in the case, told police that he shot Hawkins after Hawkins reached for a bulky item in his waistband.

Wilson, one of two men facing charges in the murder, was ordered held after a preliminary hearing Thursday with Judge Herbert Dixon while a grand jury investigates the case.

Hawkins was found by police October 26 at approximately 1:14 a.m. at a Valero gas station on the unit block of Florida Avenue Northwest suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead; another man was also injured.

At the crime scene police observed a dark colored car and pursued it, ultimately arresting two of those in the car. Wilson, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with the intent to kill in connection with Hawkins’ death. Reese Williams, 23, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact in Hawkins’ murder.

Charging documents state that Wilson and Williams were returning from a homecoming party at Howard University when they stopped at the gas station to buy cigarettes and a drink. In an interview with police, Wilson said Hawkins was behind him in line at the gas station, court documents state.

“What up with ya’ll?,” Wilson said Hawkins asked. “Ya’ll got some money? Ya’ll got some pot? I smell it.”

Documents state that Wilson told police Hawkins began “pushing up on” him. “I’ll take ya’ll shit,” Hawkins said according to Wilson.

Wilson told police that Hawkins had something “bulky” in his waistband, so Wilson grabbed for a handgun that he had on him. Hawkins then took something out of his waistband, and Wilson said he shot him twice and might have shot another person nearby, charging documents state.

At the preliminary hearing Thursday, Detective Keith Batton said that no guns or weapons were found on Hawkins or in the vicinity of the shooting.

"We canvassed the entire area with dogs and nothing was found," Batton said. "There were no weapons found on the second victim in the shooting either."

Both Wilson and Williams being held without bond while a grand jury investigates the charges against them.

A status hearing for both men is scheduled for December 11 with Judge Dixon.

Suspect in Florida Ave. Double Shooting Describes Interaction with Freddy Hawkins at Gas Station

Ivan Natividad — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:23:51 -0400

Suspects in Saturday morning's double shooting at a Valero gas station on Florida Avenue may have been returning from a homecoming party at Howard University when an encounter with others at the station turned deadly.

In charging documents associated with the case, police say witnesses described Justin Wilson and Reese William as being among a group of four people who went to the homecoming party then stopped at the gas station to buy cigarettes and a drink.

Wilson, in an interview with police, said Freddy Bernard Hawkins was behind him in line at the gas station.

"What up with ya'll?," Wilson said Hawkins asked. "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. "I'll take ya'll shit," Hawkins said, Wilson told police.

Wilson told police Hawkins had something "bulky" in his waistband. Wilson said that when he grabbed for a handgun that he had on him, Hawkins took something out of his waistband.

Wilson said he shot Hawkins twice and might have shot another person at the scene.

Hawkins was found by police Saturday at approximately 1:14 a.m. at a Valero gas station on the unit block of Florida Avenue Northwest suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead; a second adult male victim was also injured.

While at the crime scene police observed a dark colored car fleeing fast from the scene. Police pursued the vehicle and found Wilson and Williams, along with two other individuals, inside the car. Wilson, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with the intent to kill in connection with Hawkins' death. Williams, 23, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact in Hawkins' murder.

According to charging documents, witnesses told police that Hawkins was shot by Wilson and was driven from the crime scene by Williams.

Wilson and Williams appeared in court Monday on the charges and were ordered held pending a preliminary hearing on Nov. 14 with Judge Herbert Dixon.

Charging documents have been added to this post below:

Wilson, Justin Charging Papers (PDF)Wilson, Justin Charging Papers (Text)

Two Arrested After Saturday Double Shooting at Florida Ave. NW Gas Station

Laura Amico — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 15:55:12 -0400

One man was killed and another injured early Saturday morning in a shooting near the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street, Northwest. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

Police Saturday afternoon said 28-year-old Freddy Bernard Hawkins of Northeast DC and another man were found shot at a Valero gas station at about 1:14 a.m. Both were taken to local hospitals. Hawkins was pronounced dead; the other man is expected to survive.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the case: 20-year-old Justine Wilson, of Southeast, DC is suspected of second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill and 23-year-old Reese Williams of Southeast, DC suspected of acting as an accessory after the fact.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Two Arrests Made in Homicide and Assault with Intent to Kill: 22 Florida Avenue, NW

(Washington, DC)- The Metropolitan Police Department has announced that two arrests have been made in the fatal shooting and felony assault which occurred at 22 Florida Avenue, NW.

On Saturday, October 26, 2013, at approximately 1:14 am, units from the Fifth District responded to the area of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Streets, Northwest for the sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, police officers observed a dark colored motor vehicle fleeing the Valero gas station parking lot located at 22 Florida Avenue, NW, at a high rate of speed. The police officers pursued the fleeing motor vehicle. The pursuit concluded on Interstate 695 near the northbound ramp to Interstate 295. Four individuals were located and identified as being inside the vehicle that fled the gas station.

Police officers on the shooting scene located two adult male victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported both gunshot victims to a local hospital, where one gunshot victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The second gunshot victim was admitted and is expected to survive his injuries. The decedent’s remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia, pending an autopsy.

The decedent is identified as 28-year-old Freddy Bernard Hawkins of Northeast, Washington, DC.

Investigation into this homicide has resulted in two arrests. 20 year-old Justine Wilson, of Southeast, DC is being charged with Murder II while Armed and Assault with the Intent to Kill in connection to the shooting death of Freddy Bernard Hawkins, and the other adult male that was shot. 23 year-old Reese Williams of Southeast, DC is being charged with Accessory After the Fact.

Due to the determined, skillful and intrepid efforts of the Fifth District Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions; these two suspects were apprehended and brought to justice. The investigation is continuing.