Relatives seek justice after Baltimore Police fatally shoot man near longtime family home

Chante Fenner’s grandmother bought her home in the 2800 block of Pelham Avenue in 1999, and it’s been their family’s gathering spot ever since — even after she died this past New Year’s Eve.

“We all used to stay here, and we all would be up all night playing games. Grandma would be playing her cards,” Fenner said.

Fenner never imagined one of her cousins, Dwight Hawkins, 37, would be fatally shot by two Baltimore Police officers just outside their family home.

Around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Baltimore Police Department officials said, Group Violence Unit officers in Belair Discount Liquors observed a man they suspected was armed. When the man walked out of the store, officers followed him.

Police officials say the man began running and pulled out a weapon. Two officers fired at least 16 rounds toward the man.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is investigating the fatality, as it does all police-involved deaths in the state.

On Thursday, officials identified Hawkins and the officers involved in his death: Arthur Fuog and Omar Rodriguez, six- and seven-year veterans of the force. The family has been vocal across social media, sharing footage of the incident from a neighbor’s home security camera, and identified the deceased as Hawkins before officials did.

The night of Hawkins’ death, Fenner shouted from a nearby porch and filmed the scene near their family home.

“Justice for Dwight!” she yelled. “F--ing police killed my f--ing cousin!”

The night after the incident, family members with heavy eyes curled the corners of their mouths thinking about Hawkins’ silliness, talkative nature and not-so-great dance skills (although he’d argue otherwise). They described him as family-oriented, hardworking and caring. He leaves behind twin daughters and a young son, among other close relatives.

Hawkins’ family acknowledged his criminal background and said it shouldn’t be used to judge his character.

Fenner said Hawkins had maintained a steady job at a hotel for the past three years. He was at the Belair-Edison home to visit his uncle, who lives there. Belair Discount Liquors, or “the bar,” as they call it, is a go-to store for snacks and drinks, said Latrice Hunter, one of Hawkins’ cousins.

“We been around here since 1999. ... It’s our store,” Hunter said. “You might go in there ... just to stick your head in. That’s our store. ... This his family. This his block.”

Hunter was at the family home with Fenner as police and other officials crowded their neighborhood after Hawkins’ death. Hunter said family members drove to different hospitals to find Hawkins, and she was trying to get information from police.

Family members said they didn’t locate Hawkins until 9 p.m., hours after he was shot, and couldn’t identify him until 11 p.m.

Hawkins’ death is sparking conversation about police accountability. The day after the shooting, around a dozen people gathered at the corner of Pelham Avenue and Belair Road, just outside Belair Discount Liquors. They were there for West Wednesday, a weekly rally led by Tawanda Jones that calls for police accountability. Jones’ brother, Tyrone West, was beaten to death by Baltimore Police in 2013.

The West Coalition, Jones’ organization, meets across the city and online. She moved Wednesday night’s gathering to the Belair-Edison neighborhood after learning about Hawkins’ death. Jones called Hawkins’ killing a “tragedy,” “execution” and “overkill.”

“Dwight didn’t deserve what he got,” Jones said. “If you felt as though he was doing anything wrong, arrest that man. Give him his day in court. Let him plead his case.”

Jones challenged those in attendance, both in person and via Facebook Live, to act immediately — especially with their money.

“Don’t buy nothing out that bar,” Jones said. “Don’t buy nothing all the way up and down Belair Road. It’s OK for cops to come into the community and gun us down? [If] we ain’t safe, we shouldn’t spend a dollar nowhere near this motherf--er.”

Hawkins’ family has used social media to amplify its calls for justice. His relatives are organizing a protest at 4 p.m. Friday in the 2800 block of Pelham Avenue — the same place where cousins said they “jumped off the porch” with Hawkins, the same place they had to clean up his blood after he was killed.

This is the second fatal police shooting in Baltimore this year. In January, Baltimore Police officers killed Jamarl Muse in Southeast Baltimore after he allegedly fired at them while resisting arrest.

Last year, Baltimore Police were involved in four people’s deaths: Jai Marc Howell, Bilal “BJ” Abdullah, Pytorcarcha Brooks and Dontae Melton.

Rodriguez, who was involved in Hawkins’ death, was also among a group of three officers who fatally shot Abdullah, a Baltimore Police Department spokesperson confirmed. Rodriguez and officers Devin Yancy and Ashley Negron responded to the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue after receiving a tip that Abdullah was brandishing a weapon and threatening people.

Rodriguez, in plain clothes and a police vest, similar to how he was dressed during the encounter with Hawkins, began following Abdullah and grabbed him. When he did, a weapon went off, the officer retreated and the 36-year-old arabber fell to the ground.

Abdullah picked up the weapon police say he was not permitted to carry and fired three shots. Rodriguez, Negron and Yancy fired 38 shots at him. Last December, the state attorney general’s office declined to bring charges against the officers.

This article has been updated.