On the evening of the Fourth of July in 2024, a day typically marked by celebration, tragedy struck in a Southeast Washington, D.C. park. Donald Hawkins, a 46-year-old Black/African American man from Northeast D.C., was found in the 1500 block of Anacostia Drive, Southeast, suffering from gunshot wounds. The incident was reported at approximately 8:46 p.m. when members of the United States Park Police were flagged down.
Upon their arrival at the park area, officers discovered Mr.
Hawkins with life-threatening injuries. Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene, but after finding no signs of life, he was pronounced dead. The serene setting of Anacostia Park was transformed into a crime scene as the Metropolitan Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the fatal shooting.
To date, authorities have not made any arrests in connection with the murder of Donald Hawkins, and no information regarding a suspect or suspects has been released to the public. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Metropolitan Police Department is actively seeking assistance from the community. A reward of up to $25,000 has been offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Detectives are urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward.
