Benjamin Williams, 22, is charged in the death of Darnell Hawkins Jr., 23, inside the casino resort’s food court.
OXON HILL, Md. — Prince George’s County police arrested a Fort Washington man early Thursday, Dec. 4, on charges that he fatally shot a 23-year-old inside the MGM National Harbor food court the day before. Officials said the gunman waited, approached without speaking and fired several rounds at close range.
The case hardened quickly from a chaotic scene to a focused homicide probe. Investigators retrieved surveillance video within minutes, traced a vehicle, and identified Benjamin Williams, 22, as the suspect in the killing of Darnell Hawkins Jr. of Washington, D.C. Authorities said the attack was not random; the men knew each other. The rapid arrest calmed fears of an active threat at one of the region’s busiest attractions, even as detectives continued to search for a motive and a weapon.
Police Chief George Nader said officers were dispatched at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, after multiple 911 callers reported shots in the food court. Nader said video shows the shooter “laid in wait” in a corridor before following Hawkins into the food court and opening fire. After Hawkins fell, the assailant fired again and ran toward a garage. No bystanders were hit. “This was a targeted killing,” Nader said, adding that school officials briefly placed nearby campuses on lockdown while officers confirmed the suspect had fled by car.
Detectives collected images from the resort’s camera network and nearby traffic cameras, then worked with allied agencies to find Williams at a Prince George’s County address early Thursday. Prosecutors charged him with first- and second-degree murder, multiple counts of assault and several gun offenses. State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy called the shooting “vicious” and said her office would seek pretrial detention. Court records show Williams was ordered held without bond during an initial appearance Friday. Officials said interviews with witnesses and workers are ongoing, and that the exact relationship between Williams and Hawkins remains unknown.
National Harbor’s restaurants and shops stayed open after police cleared the scene. The food court, separate from the casino floor, filled again by evening as workers replaced caution tape with cleaning carts. Officials noted that violent crime around the resort has dropped this year even as the complex draws large holiday crowds. The resort’s heavy surveillance footprint, including interior and exterior cameras and license-plate readers on approach roads, has aided prior investigations and proved central in this one, officials said.
Prosecutors said a preliminary hearing will be scheduled in district court later this month, with the possibility of grand jury action to move the case to circuit court. Detectives are waiting for ballistic testing and additional video pulls to map the suspect’s exact movements. Police said they will release updates as lab results return and interviews conclude, likely in the next week. Memorial items for Hawkins appeared near the plaza steps Thursday night, where friends described him as a young father who loved music and basketball.
“People were screaming and then it got quiet,” said Maria Ortiz, who was buying lunch when shots rang out. “Security moved us to the back, and within minutes the police were everywhere.” A delivery driver parked along Monument Avenue said he saw officers speed into the garage. “It looked like they knew where to go,” he said. A restaurant manager said staff held customers behind counters until officers gave the all-clear and detectives began downloading camera footage from hallway ceilings and doorways.
As of Tuesday, Williams remained jailed as investigators reviewed forensic results. Officials said the next public milestone is a court scheduling notice expected by Friday, Dec. 12, which will set dates for hearings and evidence exchange.
Author note: Last updated December 9, 2025.