A Baltimore City jury found Jermaine Reed, 26, not guilty of first-degree murder on Sept. 17 in the killing of his uncle, Dwaun “Dante” Hawkins, 43, while finding him guilty of two firearm-related charges. No verdict was rendered on a third firearm charge.
Reed was charged with first-degree murder and several firearm offenses in connection with the Dec. 18, 2025, killing of his uncle, Hawkins. According to the charging documents Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to the 2400 block of Elsinore Avenue after reports of gunfire and found Hawkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Hawkins later died at a local hospital.
During the trial, the prosecutor argued that Reed shot Hawkins multiple times following a dispute involving Hawkins and Reed’s aunt. The defense attorney, William Porter, argued that Reed acted in self-defense, saying Hawkins had been acting aggressively toward Reed. Witnesses later identified Reed through a photo array, and police allegedly recovered eight .38-caliber shell casings and mail addressed to Reed from the scene.
The jury found Reed not guilty of first-degree murder. No verdict was rendered on the charge of using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence. Reed was found guilty of firearm possession with a felony conviction and having a loaded handgun on his person.
Reed is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton.
