Hundreds Attend Funeral for Slain 13-year-old

Devin Hawkins never sold drugs or belonged to a gang yet on April 23 the 13-year-old was shot and killed by suspected gang members. Devin was another innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of drugs, guns and violence.

Devin "Chumpy" Hawkins is described by friends and family as a happy teenager and student at Carver Middle School who had incredible talent on the football field. He was further described as a super star with a bright future.

On April 23, an argument in the streets near Devin’s home turned deadly, an argument that Devin was not involved in. The 13-year-old was outside when shots rang out, he was running for his house when he was struck and killed by a stray bullet. He died only feet from his front door in the Broadwater Townhome community in southern Chesterfield.

Rev. Lamont Hobbs delivered what is described as a rousing eulogy at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Petersburg where approximately 600-700 people turned out to say goodbye to Devin.

During the eulogy Hobbs acknowledge the local media for “getting this one right” by making it clear that Devin was not a drug dealer or gang member. He went on to call on parents to do their part to keep their children away from drugs, guns, and violence by checking their children’s rooms. He called on the community to do their part by reporting “wrongdoing” to the authorities.

Hobbs said:

"It ain't about Devin and where he is, the question is what are we going to do? We have got to get our house in order."

And in a closing that received a standing ovation Hobbs said:

"You need to have a jailhouse shakedown in your house,"

A 17-year-old who was shot in the leg during the incident is now believed to have been the intended target after he became involved in a verbal altercation.

The 17-year-old helped identify three suspects in the shooting. Jermon Rasheem Woodson-Jones, 21, who turned himself in after consulting an attorney, has been charged with criminal gang participation and being an accessory after the fact. Jermaine Powell, 18, who lived in the same block as Devin, was arrested and charged with criminal gang participation earlier this week. Yesterday police and the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested William Timothy Walker, 21, the alleged gunman, in Harrisburg, Pa. Walker has been charged with homicide, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and gang participation. All three suspects are believed to be members of a localized chapter of the "Bloods" street gang.