Do you know who killed Rafiq Hawkins in 2019? On the evening of March 23, 2019, a tragic event unfolded in Northeast Washington, D.C., forever altering the lives of those involved. Rafiq Hawkins, a 23-year-old male, was fatally shot in the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE, at approximately 10:26 p.m. Police responded to reports of a shooting and discovered Hawkins nearby in the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by D.C.
Fire and Emergency Medical Services, where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation into the death of Rafiq Hawkins led to the arrest of 19-year-old Raymond Avent of Baltimore, MD, on July 19, 2019. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed. The case against Avent was built on evidence that included cellphone records placing him near the scene of the crime. Surveillance footage reportedly showed three individuals exiting a dark-colored Cadillac and opening fire on Hawkins as he walked down the sidewalk. Further video evidence captured three individuals entering a nearby apartment complex just minutes after the shooting. Photos and videos of Avent holding firearms that matched the description of weapons recovered six days after the incident were also found on his phone.
Further investigation implicated two other individuals in the murder. Tyler Stringfield, 23, and Keith Baham, 22, were also arrested and, along with Avent, were indicted on 18 charges, including first-degree murder while armed. According to court documents, surveillance footage showed a driver and two passengers exiting a vehicle and shooting at Hawkins. The assailants allegedly used two handguns and a long gun with a high-capacity magazine.
In a significant development in the case, all three co-defendants accepted plea deals. In March 2024, Raymond Avent pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license in a deal that proposed a 16-year sentence. Later, in June 2025, Tyler Stringfield and Keith Baham also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. As part of their plea agreements, Stringfield is expected to receive a 12-year sentence and Baham an 11-year sentence. Their sentencing was scheduled for September 9, 2025.
