Prosecutors in a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson claimed that the suspect’s actions after a football game dispute were direct, intentional, and like an an execution, during a hearing on Jan. 21.
Antonio Hawley, 22, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Aaron Wiggins on Oct. 6, 2021. The shooting occurred on the 400 block of 12th Street, SE, outside Watkins Elementary School, following a nighttime flag football scrimmage.
Prosecutors told jurors in their opening statements that Wiggins and Hawley, who were friends, participated in organized flag football opposing teams and that the shooting occurred moments after Wiggins scored a game-winning touchdown.
According to the prosecutors, some field lights shut off, prompting the teams to run one final play, that inspired trash talk. Prosecutors allege Hawley shot Wiggins execution-style to “show dominance,” firing 17 shots, 13 of which struck Wiggins, killing him at the scene.
Prosecutors played footage that showed a person said to be Hawley entering the recreational complex with a friend before the game, who prosecutors say owned and carried a “Champion” brand bag which contained the unregistered pistol allegedly used in the crime. Prosecutors also presented a prior social media photo showing Hawley posing with a firearm while wearing the same bag, and footage of Hawley allegedly exiting the field wearing his waist flags after the shooting and leaving the area.
Defense attorney Albert Amissah said the prosecution’s allegations rely on inconsistent and unreliable accounts. Ammisah maintained that another individual retained possession of the bag and firearm throughout the night and emphasized discrepancies in witness statements presented by the prosecution. Amissah urged jurors to closely examine gaps in the evidence and question whether prosecutors had enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hawley committed the crime.
A teammate of Wiggins testified he overheard arguing between three-to-five players including Wiggins. He mentioned that it “felt more personal” between two players, though he did not specify which ones.
Another teammate, who placed the 911 call, testified that he witnessed the shooter and described him in court as between five-foot seven and five-foot eight. Under cross-examination, Amissah revealed that in the teammate’s 911 caller didn’t see the shooter. They also demonstrated that the defendant is six-feet -one inches tall.
A home security camera in the area of the shooting recorded footage of the incident. The camera was facing the football field, but was too far away to capture the shooter’s physical characteristics. The footage captured the commotio and the chaotic aftermath. The video portrayed 17 shots and the muzzle flash with people running away.
An eyewitness who was on a hockey field in the complex at the time of the shooting also testified to seeing an individual on the field yelling in a taunting manner after gunfire erupted. However, the witness could not identify the person.
Jurors also heard from Wiggins’ father, who described his son as deeply committed to football and intensely competitive. He testified that although they had once been estranged, the two were rebuilding their relationship before Wiggins’ death.
Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 22.
