Father, son slain in Fayetteville apartment

Fayetteville, N.C. — Police on Wednesday were investigating the shooting deaths of a father and son, whose bodies were found inside a Fayetteville apartment late Tuesday.

Officers responding to a shots-fired call at the Watauga Manor Apartments at about 10 p.m. Tuesday found the bodies of Joe "Hawk" Hawkins and his 26-year-old son, Alexis Hawkins, in the apartment at 5008-D Watauga Road, police said. The men lived together in the apartment, police said.

The complex is located south of Raeford Road off Hope Mills Road.

An officer responding to the call got into a wreck at Raeford and Durant roads, police said. The officer was not hurt.

Police haven't released any information regarding a motive for the shooting or possible suspects. Investigators said neighbors saw two men leaving the apartment in a vehicle soon after the shooting, but no description was given.

A neighbor, who declined to give her name, said Alexis Hawkins was involved in drugs and had people coming to the apartment all of the time.

"He probably had some friends he shouldn't have (had)," she said.

The woman said Alexis Hawkins did look out for her and her children. The father worked in the kitchen at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, and the son worked at Wendy's, she said.

"His father loved him, and I know he loved his father," she said.

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Latest Comments

This is a shame. My sympathy to the family and loved ones. I hope they find whoever is responsible.

teacher-mom
June 24, 2009 6:37 p.m.

"A neighbor, who declined to give her name, said Alexis Hawkins was involved in drugs and had people coming to the apartment all of the time."

kingtee and disco2drivin, IT'S YOUR TURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT
June 24, 2009 4:34 p.m.

When was the last time you saw a story in the media that involved a law abiding citizen shooting someone in self defense?

G-man
June 24, 2009 3:26 p.m.

kingtee and disco2drivin, in the next couple of days, when they release that the father or son was involved with seedy characters, come back and chat for awhile.

DeathRow-IFeelYourPain-NOT
June 24, 2009 3:00 p.m.

Kingtee - "Where in the story does it say the victims were drug dealers, users, gang members, etc....Where does it state in the story that the victims were not productive members of society? Im just wondsering if i missed something or did you just assume that by the way the apartment building looked?"

My rationalization was not based simply upon the apartment that was in the picture. I made my original comment based upon the recent goings on in the news. If it is a shooting in Fayetteville, Durham, or Rocky Mount, it typically involves those that I would classify as burdens to society, leeches, or parasites.

The court system no longer protects the innocent so I am not sad when I see bad things happen to bad people. However, if this father and son were productive members of society, I hope that the person who is responsible is caught and pays for his crimes.

Public Servant
June 24, 2009 2:42 p.m.