Baltimore, Maryland – A 37-year-old man was shot and killed during a police foot chase in East Baltimore on Tuesday, prompting grief and questions from his family, who believe he was unfairly targeted because of his criminal history.
Police say the man, identified by relatives as Dwight Hawkins, 37, was armed and refused commands to stop before two officers opened fire. His family disputes parts of the official account and is calling for transparency and changes in police tactics.
Incident Overview
According to Baltimore Police, officers assigned to the department’s Group Violence Unit were patrolling the Belair-Edison neighborhood when they encountered a man inside a liquor store in the 3600 block of Belair Road whom they believed was armed.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the man fled when officers attempted to approach him, triggering a foot pursuit that ended in gunfire.
Hawkins was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Timeline of Events
Police said officers entered the liquor store after observing behavior they believed indicated someone inside was carrying a firearm. As Hawkins exited the store, an officer attempted to stop him. At that point, he reportedly ran.
Commissioner Worley described the pursuit and confrontation that followed:
“As he came out of the store, he started walking away from the officer. One of the officers came up behind him and tried to stop him, at which point he took off running, and a foot pursuit ensued.”
During the chase, officers repeatedly ordered Hawkins to show his hands, according to police. Authorities said he continued running with what they described as a gun in his hand. The pursuit ended when Hawkins reportedly ran face-to-face into a second officer.
Police confirmed that at least 16 rounds were fired during the incident. It remains unclear whether Hawkins discharged a weapon.
Details From Police Officials
Commissioner Worley said Hawkins was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior charges and had a lengthy arrest record known to officers.
“The officers were part of our Group Violence Unit. They are in this area because this is an area where we have a lot of problems – crime, shootings,” Worley said.
He also emphasized that officers believed Hawkins posed an immediate threat.
“This is another incident where if they had simply complied and put the gun down, we wouldn’t be having this press conference. The individual continued running with the gun in his hand, and he came face-to-face with a second officer, at which point he was shot.”
Three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
Shooting Captured on Security Video
The incident was partially captured on security camera footage from a nearby home. The video shows a man, identified by family members as Hawkins, running between parked vehicles as multiple gunshots are heard.
Family members argue that the footage does not clearly show Hawkins brandishing or pointing a firearm.
Family Response and Allegations
Relatives say Hawkins had recently been working to rebuild his life. They shared that he had moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, and was employed at a hotel in downtown Baltimore. He was also the father of three children.
His aunt, Lorraine Hawkins, expressed disbelief and anger over how the situation unfolded.
“We just didn’t understand, like, ‘Why? Why, they killed him like that?’”
She questioned whether non-lethal methods could have been used.
“If they running, they scared. They scared of y’all. If it’s three or four of y’all, y’all could tackle a person. Y’all could tase a person. You don’t have to overkill a person. You don’t have to shoot a person 16 times.”
Another relative, Chante Fenner, also disputed the claim that Hawkins pointed a weapon.
“Allegedly, if he did have a gun, the video shows he never pulled it out. He never pointed it. We need justice, and it’s not right.”
The family believes Hawkins may have been targeted due to his past record rather than solely based on his actions during the encounter.
They also raised concerns about emergency response time, stating it took approximately 30 to 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Relatives said they believe Hawkins died at the scene and were not immediately informed which hospital he was transported to.
Key Facts
- Victim: Dwight Hawkins, 37
- Location: 3600 block of Belair Road, Belair-Edison, Baltimore
- Date: Tuesday
- Rounds fired: At least 16
- Officers involved: Three placed on paid administrative leave
- Family claims ambulance response took 30–45 minutes
Broader Context
The Belair-Edison area has experienced ongoing concerns related to gun violence and crime, prompting increased patrols by specialized police units. Incidents involving armed suspects and foot pursuits often escalate quickly, particularly when officers perceive an immediate threat.
At the same time, community members and advocacy groups frequently call for greater transparency, body camera releases, and review of use-of-force policies in officer-involved shootings.
Investigations into police shootings typically involve internal review units as well as independent oversight to determine whether actions were consistent with department policy and state law.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting of Dwight Hawkins, 37, has intensified debate in East Baltimore over police tactics, use of force, and accountability. While police maintain that officers responded to a perceived armed threat, Hawkins’ family insists more restraint could have been used and is demanding further answers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
If you live in the Belair-Edison area and witnessed the incident, consider contacting authorities with any information that may assist investigators. Share your experiences in the comments below.
