On a busy Friday evening, March 25, 2022, the bustling atmosphere of the Mall at Prince George's in Hyattsville, Maryland, was shattered by violence. Inside a clothing store, 22-year-old Daquan Dockery, a male, was fatally shot. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., sent shoppers fleeing and prompted a large police response. When officers arrived at the mall on East-West Highway, they found Dockery inside the store, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Daquan, a native of
Washington D.C. and a graduate of Woodson High School, was described by his mother, Elizabeth Dockery, as a 'hard young working man' who was 'full of life.' He worked at a Sweetgreen restaurant and was an aspiring entrepreneur, having recently launched his own clothing line of sweatshirts and caps, a venture that reflected his passion for style. His mother recalled him as a caring son who would often check on her and contribute to household bills without being asked.
In the days following the shooting, the Prince George's County Police Department announced the arrest of two suspects. They were identified as 16-year-old twin brothers from Northeast D.C., Jabree and Jamel Hawkins. Despite their age, both were charged as adults with murder. Investigators believe the shooting was not a random act and may have stemmed from a dispute. According to court documents, an argument broke out between two groups of four individuals, leading to Jabree Hawkins allegedly shooting and killing Daquan Dockery. It was also reported that Dockery had his own gun and fired back before collapsing.
The investigation was aided by security camera footage from the mall. When images of the suspects were circulated, several Metropolitan Police Department officers recognized the Hawkins brothers, leading to their arrests. It was revealed that the twins had 'numerous contacts' with law enforcement prior to the fatal shooting, though the details of their juvenile records remain sealed. The incident raised concerns among local officials about juvenile crime in the region. While arrests were made, the motive for the shooting and the exact nature of the relationship between Dockery and the suspects remained under investigation.
