Kenneth Ray Hawkins, 57, was shot and killed outside an apartment complex in the 200 block of Hough Street in Augusta, Arkansas, on the evening of December 21, 2024. Officers found him at about 10:00 PM with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. He was taken to a local hospital but did not survive.

Hawkins, known as Donnie, was born September 7, 1967, in Newport and grew up in the Augusta area. He was a father and grandfather, attended Augusta Public Schools, had worked at the Land O Frost plant in Searcy, and had been active in St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in his youth. The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division was asked to lead the homicide probe and his body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for determination of cause and manner of death.

As of the latest update, no suspects or motive have been publicly identified and the investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has information about the shooting or saw activity near the 200 block of Hough Street that night, please contact investigators.