On a late autumn evening in Demopolis, Alabama, the life of 37-year-old Ray Anthony Rowser, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On October 30, 2015, at approximately 10:10 p.m., police responded to a call of a shooting at 512 Blacks Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered Rowser suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services provided immediate aid and transported him to Bryan Whitfield Emergency Room, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The violence of that night
also left another individual, Jennifer Martin, with a gunshot wound. Martin was taken to the same hospital in a private vehicle, where she was treated for her injuries and subsequently released. The Demopolis community was shaken by the incident, prompting hopes for swift justice for Rowser and his family. Friends and loved ones remembered Rowser as a man known for his warmth and generosity, despite facing significant struggles in his life.
For nearly a year, the case remained unsolved, prompting law enforcement to seek the public's help. In May 2016, the Demopolis Chief of Police and the District Attorney announced a $5,000 reward, offered by the Governor's office, for information that would lead to an arrest and conviction in Rowser's murder. This appeal for assistance underscored the commitment of law enforcement to bring closure to the family and the community.
A significant breakthrough in the investigation came on July 7, 2016, when the Demopolis Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division arrested 41-year-old Lawrence Hawkins of Demopolis in connection with the murder of Ray Anthony Rowser and the injury of Jennifer Martin. At the time of the arrest, the Demopolis Police Chief stated that the investigation was not over and that investigators would continue to work to ensure everyone involved was brought to justice. Details regarding a potential motive for the shooting or the specifics of the personal dispute that authorities believe led to the altercation have not been publicly released. Further information regarding the specific charges against Hawkins and the outcome of any subsequent trial or conviction is not available in the public domain.
