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By
Michelle Roldan
- February 20, 2025
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Suspects
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Victims
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A homicide co-defendant’s request to withdraw a guilty plea was granted by DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Feb. 14.
Raymond Avent, 24, Keith Baham, 25, and Tyler Stringfield, 26, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stem from their alleged involvement in the death of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins in the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE on March 23, 2019.
Additionally, Avent is also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution, and conspiracy, for his alleged involvement in a DC Jail stabbing on June 3, 2021, on the block of D Street SE.
According to court documents, video footage showed three suspects exiting a vehicle, pointing guns at Hawkins, and firing multiple rounds before they re-entered the vehicle and fled the scene. When Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrived at the scene, they found 34 shell casings.
During the hearing, Elizabeth Weller, Avent’s attorney, motioned to withdraw Avent’s guilty plea which he’d accepted back on March 15 and previously attempted to withdraw on Aug. 29. Judge Kravitz granted the request.
Avent and Baham are slated to return to court on March 14.
Stringfield is slated to return on March 6.