Authorities are still looking for a 16-year-old boy who allegedly he killed his mother’s boyfriend on Father’s Day, according to police.
James Austin was found shot to death in Damascus, Maryland.
Isaiah Brown-Hawkins allegedly stole her car, then pulled out a gun and told her mother, “I’m going to shoot your man,” according to court documents. Shortly thereafter, he shot Austin multiple times and fled, a witness told police.
“In light of the fact that we know he has access to firearms, this is a public safety issue for us,” said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
Brown-Hawkins enlisted the help of his friend, 19-year-old Khamani Imes, who was arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder, according to prosecutors. Imes was present during the shooting and gave Brown Hawkins a pistol to use when the first one jammed, telling Brown-Hawkins to “finish him off,” court documents say.
His father does not believe his son incited a shooting.
“That is what is alleged, and we know that he did not say that, that he would not say it, because he is loving and humble,” said Julius Asaf-El.
“It’s a scary situation, because he didn’t pull the trigger or anything, but he’s guilty by association,” she said.
The father added that he had told his son to try to get Brown-Hawkins to turn himself in.
“I said that they have a reward for him. Tell him that if he calls you, there is a reward,” Asaf-El said. “I’ll try to get that reward for him and give it to him, so he can have something when he’s in jail. So he can have some money.”
The state’s attorney’s office said it is aware the two are in contact, but declined to comment further on the issue of the reward money.
A judge denied Imes bail Wednesday, calling him a danger to the public. If he is convicted, he could face life in prison.
