A cousin of a man who was fatally shot by two Baltimore Police officers outside his home in the 2800 block of Pelham Avenue is speaking out against police accountability. Dwight Hawkins, 37, was killed after being observed as armed by Group Violence Unit officers at Belair Discount Liquors.
Hawkins’ family has been vocal on social media, sharing footage from a neighbor’s security camera and identifying him before officials did. The family described him as family-oriented, hardworking, and caring, despite acknowledging his past criminal background.
The incident has sparked conversation about police accountability, with community members calling for action and criticizing the use of force by officers. The West Coalition, an organization led by Tawanda Jones, is organizing a protest on Friday in the same neighborhood where Hawkins was killed.
This is not the first fatal police shooting in Baltimore this year, with Jamarl Muse being killed in January after allegedly firing at officers while resisting arrest. Last year, four people were also killed in police encounters: Jai Marc Howell, Bilal “BJ” Abdullah, Pytorcarcha Brooks, and Dontae Melton.
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is investigating Hawkins’ death, with officials identifying Arthur Fuog and Omar Rodriguez as the officers involved.
Source: https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/dwight-hawkins-baltimore-police-fatal-shooting-P3ERILJEBFDSRJQRXV2TKNY7VA