$20K reward offered for info on Maryland cold case murder

Martin Hawkins, Jr. (Photo: FBI)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday it is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for a deadly LaPlata, Maryland, shooting that occurred over four years ago.

The FBI’s reward, coupled with a separate reward that started at $6,000 after the murder but has now grown to $10,000, brings the total amount offered up to $20,000.

According to federal officials, on April 18, 2012, local law enforcement officers were on patrol in the area, which is located about 35 miles outside of Washington, D.C., when they heard gunshots around 8:30 p.m. Responding to the sound of gunfire, in the 200 block of Kent Avenue, the officers soon located a male victim lying on the road. He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was later identified as Martin Hawkins, Jr. He was 32 years old at the time of his death.

In the months following the shooting, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office conducted numerous operations, including extensive neighborhood canvasses of the crime scene area in an effort to obtain information about Hawkins’ murder, according to reports from local media. Authorities said they received information from several people, but still needed more.

In the year that followed the deadly shooting, officers expanded their investigation to include an adjacent neighborhood, which they canvassed as well on numerous occasions. Authorities distributed hundreds of flyers asking for any information on Hawkins’ death.

After following numerous leads and other investigative work, authorities uncovered information about the identity of a possible suspect in 2013. While the data was a significant development in the case, additional information was still needed to build a solid case.

The sheriff’s office is scheduled to conduct another sweep of the area later this evening.

Anyone with information about Hawkins’ death is asked to contact the FBI at 410-265-8080 or the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-609-6515 or 1-866-411-TIPS. Individuals may also submit tips by texting CHARLES, along with the information, to CRIMES (274637), or online at tipsubmit.com. Tipsters have the option of remaining completely anonymous.