On a tragic Friday evening in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the life of 26-year-old Rico Bondaro Hawkins was cut short. On February 4, 2022, Hawkins was fatally wounded in a shooting that also left two other individuals injured. The incident, which unfolded on the city's streets, prompted a swift investigation by the Pascagoula Police Department.
Authorities quickly identified a person of interest in connection with the homicide.
The day after the shooting, investigators had gathered enough evidence to secure a warrant for the arrest of a suspect. This individual was apprehended and subsequently faced charges for his alleged role in the death of Hawkins.
The man taken into custody was identified as Eric Taite. He was formally charged with one count of murder for the death of Rico Bondaro Hawkins, as well as two counts of aggravated assault for the injuries sustained by the other two victims in the shooting. Following his arrest, Taite was booked into the Jackson County Adult Detention Center.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continued as the legal process against Taite commenced. The case was handed over to the district attorney's office for prosecution, marking the next step in the pursuit of justice for Rico Bondaro Hawkins and the other victims of the violent encounter.
