Darnell Hawkins Jr., 23—Killed in a Targeted Execution at MGM National Harbor
The community of Prince George’s County, Maryland, is reeling from the sheer brutality and tragic loss of Darnell Hawkins Jr., 23. Darnell, a young man from Washington, D.C., with his entire future ahead of him, was senselessly killed in a targeted shooting inside the food court of the MGM National Harbor on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. This brazen act of violence, carried out in a high-security public space, has devastated Darnell’s family and sent shockwaves across the region.
The Chilling Public Execution of a Young Life
The circumstances of Darnell Hawkins Jr.’s death are exceptionally chilling. Police confirmed that this was a targeted attack—not a random act—where the assailant, Benjamin Williams, 22, allegedly sought out Darnell in the busy food court just before noon. The fact that the murder was carried out in such a public manner, with the suspect reportedly chasing down the victim and continuing to shoot, speaks to a shocking level of cold-blooded intent. As County Executive Aisha Braveboy stated, “One life lost is too many. Today we mourn the death of a young 23-year-old who had his full life ahead of him.”
Shattered Safety: Terror in a Public Space
Beyond the personal tragedy for Darnell’s family, the incident has shattered the sense of safety for the entire community. The shooting prompted lockdowns at nearby schools and raised urgent questions about security in major public venues like the National Harbor. This was not an isolated back alley crime; it was an act of violence that disrupted hundreds of lives and brought the terror of targeted murder into a space meant for commerce and leisure, deeply impacting the public psyche.
Mourning the Man, Demanding Justice
Darnell Hawkins Jr. was more than a statistic; he was a son, a brother, and a person who “meant a lot to his family.” As the PGPD works to ensure justice is served with the arrest of Benjamin Williams, the community unites to mourn the life stolen. Our deepest sympathies are with Darnell’s loved ones as they navigate the immense pain of his loss. His memory demands that we address the root causes of the violence that snatches away promising young lives so tragically.