On the night of April 19, 2023, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Waco Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting near the 1100 block of Cleveland Avenue in Waco, Texas. Upon arrival, they discovered two individuals with gunshot wounds: 40-year-old Jamerson Hawthorne and an unidentified female. Officers immediately administered life-saving measures to both victims before they were transported to a local hospital.
Unfortunately, Hawthorne succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, while the female victim was reported to be in stable condition.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Waco Police Department launched a murder investigation, marking the city's fifth homicide of 2023. Despite extensive efforts, including public appeals for information and requests for video footage from residents in the vicinity of 18th Street and Clay Avenue or 9th Street and Cleveland Avenue, no significant leads have emerged. As of May 15, 2023, detectives continued to seek assistance from the community, emphasizing the importance of any information that could aid in solving the case.
Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian addressed the community, highlighting a general decrease in violent crime within the city but expressing concern over recent homicides, including that of Hawthorne. She urged anyone with information about the murder to contact the Waco Police Department or Crime Stoppers, reinforcing the collective responsibility to maintain community safety.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the death of Jamerson Hawthorne. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement officials continuing to encourage community members to come forward with any details that might assist in bringing those responsible to justice.
