Limited Verdict Reached for 41-Year-Old Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

By Destiny Rodriguez [former] - April 12, 2024
Court | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Victims |

On April 8, a jury reached a guilty verdict for a 41-year-old non-fatal shooting defendant before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. The suspect was found culpable on just one charge of what was originally a multi-count attempted murder indictment.

Dwaun Hawkins is charged with four counts of attempted first- and second- degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, five counts of second-degree assault, four counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, four counts of reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person and firing a gun within Baltimore City limits.

Before the verdict, the prosecution dismissed four counts of attempted first-degree murder and single counts of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and firearm use in a felony or violent crime on April 3.

Then, the prosecution dismissed two counts of second-degree assault. Finally, the prosecution dismissed two more counts of attempted second-degree murder and the reckless endangerment charge on April 5. Leaving Hawkins with two counts of second-degree assault, having a handgun on his person and firing a gun within Baltimore City limits. 

Previous coverage indicated defense attorney Jason Rodriguez said that this was a “very simple and straightforward case,” explaining to the jury Hawkins should only be charged for firing a gun in Baltimore City. 

On April 8, the jury found Hawkins not guilty of all charges except for firing a gun within Baltimore City. 

The defendant is sentenced to serve one year. 

According to court documents, the incident occurred on Aug. 10, 2023, when Baltimore Police Department officers responded to a report about a shooting on the 2400 block of Elsinore Avenue. After Hawkins had a heated argument with his now ex-girlfriend, the situation escalated as her grandchildren to her defense. After a physical altercation, Hawkins allegedly tried shooting one of the grandchildren.