On a warm Friday evening in Laurel, Maryland, the life of 33-year-old William Denard Askew, a Black man known affectionately to his loved ones as 'Little,' was tragically cut short. On July 25, 2025, at approximately 10:20 p.m., officers responded to the 13200 block of Laurel Bowie Road after reports of a shooting. There, in the unincorporated section of Laurel, they found Askew in the roadway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of his death, Askew, a resident of Greenbelt, was reportedly heading home from work.
The Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit immediately launched an investigation into the fatal shooting. In the days following Askew's death, his family, devastated by their loss, remembered him as a beloved son, brother, and uncle with a kind spirit and an infectious smile. They described him as the heart of their family, a man who cherished spending time with his three nephews and brought joy to those around him. As they grieved, investigators worked to piece together the events of that night. A significant breakthrough came when police released surveillance footage of a person of interest. The video showed a man on a bicycle at a gas station in the area, whom detectives believed was connected to the shooting. Authorities also announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.
Just over a month after William Askew's life was taken, police announced a significant development in the case. On August 29, 2025, the Prince George's County Police Department charged 48-year-old James King IV of Laurel with the murder of William Denard Askew. The investigation, aided by tips from the community and the crucial surveillance video, had led them to King. He was taken into custody and charged with first and second-degree murder, along with related charges. King is being held at the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status. While an arrest has been made, the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and it is not yet known if Askew and King knew each other prior to the fatal encounter. The case continues to move through the legal system as prosecutors prepare for trial.
