Trumellia Vanessa Hawkins, a 46-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on September 23, 2022, in her home in Raleigh, North Carolina. The incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. at her residence on Griffis Glen Drive. The suspect in this case is her own son, Tyler Jordan Hawkins, a 25-year-old male, who was arrested and charged with her murder.
The Raleigh Police Department announced the arrest early the following morning.
The investigation into the motive behind the shooting is ongoing. Tyler Hawkins, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder two years prior to the incident, had a history of refusing to take his medication. His grandmother, Veatrice Hawkins, expressed her grief and shared that her daughter, Trumellia, was a kind-hearted woman who loved her children dearly. Tyler made his first court appearance on the Monday following the incident, where a Wake County judge ordered that he be held without bond. If convicted, Tyler could face the death penalty or life in prison.
Trumellia Hawkins worked in human resources and was aspiring to become a realtor. She had recently purchased her first home, which she shared with her two sons. The community was left in shock and disbelief, with neighbors placing flowers on the porch of her home in her memory. The tragic event has left the family devastated, as they cope with the loss of both Trumellia and Tyler in different ways. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking incident.
