A devastating act of violence rocked a typically peaceful Georgetown neighborhood over the weekend as three people, including an 8-year-old girl, were shot and killed at an apartment complex. CBS Austin reports that police were called to the scene around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, where they found the victims, identified as 34-year-old Alonzo Hawkins, 39-year-old Doneisha Brooks, and the young girl, were tragically shot multiple times.
In the aftermath of the shooting, speculation and fear spread through the community. Freddy Garza, whose girlfriend lives near the crime scene, told CBS Austin that while violence has been on an uptick in Georgetown, the brutal nature of this incident is unprecedented in the area: "This is very, very rare to hear this kind of stuff. You don't see this stuff in Georgetown," he said. "Slow it down, man. You can't keep up with the other cities," highlighting a palpable disbelief that such an atrocity could occur in their midst.
The investigation is ongoing, with a possible suspect identified by the Georgetown Police Department, but no other details have yet been provided. According to a CBS Austin report, the evidence at the crime scene suggests the victims knew the assailant.
Amidst the grief and confusion, the victims' family members provided insights into the lives lost. "They’re just a happy, loving family, and it's sad to see their lives taken. They didn’t deserve anything," Ashley Ford, Hawkins' sister, lamented in a statement obtained by KXAN. She continued to express the family's shock and sorrow, "It's like it’s a dream, like we’re all going to wake up from it and they’re going to be with us again.” The Fords reportedly were in close contact with Hawkins and Brooks, who were cousins, and became concerned when they failed to reach them on Saturday, an unusual break in their daily communication that prompted the welfare check which led to the discovery.
Georgetown Police Department, in their response to the killings, shared their condolences and reinforced their commitment to bringing the responsible party to justice. "The Georgetown Police Department is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of three members of our community, one being a child" the department stated in a release quoted by KXAN. The police urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward and have provided contact numbers for their department and for Crime Stoppers to facilitate the provision of tips from the public.
