On May 7, 2022, a Black male identified as Willie L. Hawkins III was fatally injured in a violent incident on the west side of Detroit, Michigan. Known affectionately to his friends and family as "Suga," Hawkins was a devoted father and grandfather who had spent over two decades acting as a primary caretaker for his brother. His life was cut short when he was shot near the intersection of Woodrow Wilson Street and Virginia Park Street.
Following the shooting, Hawkins attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, a Ford Edge, but was unable to escape the dire circumstances of the attack.
Detroit police officers responding to the situation discovered the Ford Edge, which had caught fire, and pulled Hawkins from the burning wreckage. Despite their efforts, he had already succumbed to his injuries. The brutal nature of the crime left the local community and his grieving family searching for answers. In the aftermath, his loved ones, including his daughter, spoke publicly about the profound loss, describing Hawkins as a family-oriented man who was a pillar of support for his relatives, especially following the death of his own father from colon cancer just a few years prior.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities struggled to identify those responsible for the murder. Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced a cash reward of $2,500 for information leading to an arrest, urging anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward anonymously. Despite these pleas and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been reported in connection with the case. The investigation remains open as detectives continue to seek leads that could bring justice to the Hawkins family.
