In the late hours of a summer Sunday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, tragedy befell a young man, forever altering the lives of his family and community. On July 31, 2022, Albert Hawkins, a 21-year-old African American male, was fatally shot in the 4700 block of Bradley Street. The incident, which unfolded around 11:39 PM, also left two other individuals with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
An altercation at a residence on Bradley Street preceded the shooting, which ultimately claimed Hawkins's life after he was transported to a nearby hospital.
The investigation into the shooting quickly focused on a male suspect. Within days, authorities identified 52-year-old Kirkpatrick Franklin as the individual allegedly responsible for the death of Albert Hawkins. On August 4, 2022, a team of law enforcement officers, including Baton Rouge Police Homicide Detectives, the Baton Rouge Police Special Response Team, and the U.S. Marshals, located and attempted to apprehend Franklin. A pursuit ensued as Franklin tried to evade capture in a vehicle, but he was ultimately taken into custody in the 3500 block of North Street.
Following his arrest, Kirkpatrick Franklin was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Albert Hawkins. The two other victims of the shooting were treated at a local hospital for their injuries. As the legal process moves forward, the community continues to seek justice for the young life that was cut short. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter remains ongoing.
