Man fatally shot by Baltimore police while running away; family demands answers

BALTIMORE — The family of 37‑year‑old Dwight Hawkins, who died after Baltimore police shot him during a foot chase in the Belair‑Edison neighborhood, is demanding answers and calling the shooting excessive.

Police describe a chase that ended in gunfire

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said officers were patrolling the 3600 block of Belair Road when they entered a liquor store and saw Hawkins, who they believed was armed. Worley did not specify why police believed he was armed.

He said Hawkins left the store, ran when approached, and ignored repeated commands to show his hands.

Worley said Hawkins continued running with an alleged gun in his right hand. He then ran face‑to‑face with a second officer, who opened fire on Hawkins. Worley said two officers fired shots during the encounter. According to reports, police fired a total of 16 shots. Investigators said a handgun was recovered near Hawkins.

Hawkins was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Worley said the officers were part of a Group Violence Unit to patrol high crime areas.

The officers were identified as Arthur Fuog, a six‑year veteran, and Omar Rodriguez, a seven‑year veteran. Both were placed on administrative leave while the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division investigates the shooting, WBAL‑TV reported.

Surveillance video shows Hawkins running

Police released body camera footage of the chase. The video shows Hawkins in the convenience store being approached by police. He then walks outside. He begins running from officers, weaving between parked cars before several rounds were fired. The video is not clear to determine if Hawkins pulled out a gun before officers opened fire on him.

Dwight Hawkins Family disputes police account and calls actions excessive

Hawkins’ relatives told WJZ they do not believe he pulled out a weapon during the chase. They said the video supports their claim and shows no moment where he pointed a gun.

His aunt, L. Hawkins, told the outlet officers failed to use basic de‑escalation tools. She said, “You’re supposed to observe, take control and de‑escalate. You have mace, you have a Taser and you have a gun. That should be last.”

She also questioned the number of shots fired.

“If they running, they scared. They scared of y’all. If it’s three or four of y’all, y’all could tackle a person. Y’all could tase a person. You don’t have to overkill a person. You don’t have to shoot a person 16 times.”

His cousin, C. Fenner, told WJZ the video shows Hawkins never pointed a weapon. “Allegedly, if he did have a gun, the video shows he never pulled it out. He never pointed it. We need justice, and it’s not right.”

Family says Hawkins was turning his life around

Relatives said Hawkins had a criminal history but was working to rebuild his life for his three children. They said he recently moved from Baltimore to Hagerstown and held a steady job at a downtown hotel. They believe he was targeted because of his past.

“I’m not saying he was the perfect child,” Hawkins said. “We all have a past. He did have a past, but it was about change. They did not have to gun him down the way they did.”

Concerns about medical response

The family alleges it took 30 to 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive and that they believe Hawkins died at the scene. They also said they were not told which hospital he was taken to.

State investigation continues

The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is reviewing body‑camera footage, witness statements, and surveillance video. Officials asked anyone with additional footage to contact investigators.