On a Sunday afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama, the life of 23-year-old Rakim Rashad Hawkins was tragically cut short. On October 9, 2016, in the Kingston neighborhood, Hawkins was with a group of men engaged in a dice game at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 44th Place North. The casual gathering turned violent when an unidentified individual opened fire on the group.
In the ensuing chaos, three people were struck by gunfire, including Hawkins, who sustained critical injuries.
All three victims were transported to UAB Hospital for medical attention. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Rakim Hawkins was pronounced dead. The two other men who were shot during the incident survived their injuries and were reported to be in stable condition.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the shooter fled in a vehicle immediately following the attack. Despite the presence of multiple individuals, the identity of the assailant remains unknown. Law enforcement officials have not publicly identified any suspects in the fatal shooting, and a motive for the crime has not been determined. The investigation into the death of Rakim Hawkins continues as authorities ask for the public's help in solving the case.
