Indiana father demanding arrest of his daughter’s killer
By Erica Morse
Publisher, Victims News Online
Originally published 5:17 p.m., November 11, 2016
Re-printed 8:45 a.m, April 28, 2020
erica@victimsnewsonline
@victimsnews1
(VNO) — Kalvon Hawkins of Michigan City, Indiana, recently learned that the person(s) responsible for his daughter’s death have been bragging on Facebook. After receiving this information, Hawkins launched a ground effort which includes flyers, daily “Facebook live” videos, as well as trips to the local police department each morning.
On July 24, 2011, 17-year-old NeKeisha Hodges-Hawkins was attending a private family party at a local park. After an altercation of some sort broke out, the party was ceased, and attendees began to leave. As the party broke up, another fight broke out; this time, gunfire rang out, and two teenagers were shot.
One, an 18-year-old male, was shot in the leg, and survived. Seventeen-year-old NeKeisha Hodges-Hawkins died from her injuries.
Earlier this week, NeKeisha’s father received copies of Facebook posts reportedly made by persons claiming to be involved in her death.
Now, they’re online talking about how they murdered her, where they put the clothes, and what they did after the murder”, Kalvon Hawkins told VNO. If the police don’t want to help me, then move over and let someone else do it. I’ve reached out to America’s Most Wanted for help, and they stopped it. I will leave it alone, if they solve it”.
Upon receiving the new information, Hawkins immediately took copies to the Michigan City Police Department, who issued a statement urging anyone with information to come forward.
That statement reads, in part:
“Unfortunately the Michigan City Police have had very little new information arise in the tragic death of NeKeisha Hodges-Hawkins. Sadly, this investigation is ongoing and we continually look for more information or witnesses to come forward. Given the large amount of people present at this homicide, we know there are witnesses to this murder and again we are asking those who saw the crime to come forward and assist the police in this investigation. We have found as of yesterday some new information that has come forward which is being looked into by our Investigative Division. With this information arising it has ignited Social Media and thus sparked a peaceful protest at the Police Station property to bring awareness back to this tragedy.
We would like to note that a lot of the witnesses that were present at this shooting back in 2011 were juveniles at the time and their parents would not allow them to make statements. Now that they are adults we urge anyone of these witnesses to come forward and help assist in this ongoing investigation. Without the help of those that were present at the time of her death, this case cannot be solved and closure not given to the family”.
This week, however, as Kalvon Hawkins has taken his story to Facebook live videos and a ground effort to hang flyers, he feels the police have not been helpful – and, in fact – have been following him. When asked why he feels the PD is responding in this manner (which can be seen on Hawkins’ Facebook live videos), he had this to say:
This week, however, as Kalvon Hawkins has taken his story to Facebook live videos and a ground effort to hang flyers, he feels the police have not been helpful – and, in fact – have been following him. When asked why he feels the PD is responding in this manner (which can be seen on Hawkins’ Facebook live videos), he had this to say:
“They don’t like me, and they don’t care”, Hawkins said. “They have been lying to me since 2013. I’ll stop if they (the police) do their jobs, but I’ve been quiet for too long”.
Since Hawkins is also receiving taunting messages from people who claim to have information, he has established a GoFundMe account with a goal of $5,000. Those monies will be used to establish a reward to entice one of the 100 – 150 witnesses to speak up:
“If they want to play, we can play”, Hawkins said. “That reward is going on them”.
A community rally is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., tomorrow, Saturday, November 12, 2016, at High Praise Outreach Ministries, 1007 U.S. Highway 20, Michigan City, Indiana, 46360. The “Man-Up Speak Up Rally” is designed to encourage the witnesses — and their parents — to come forward and give a statement to police”.
“It’s great to have the supporters and the community out there”, Kalvon Hawkins told VNO. “But I need those witnesses to come out and speak up. Just one or two is all it will take”.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Jillian Ashley of the Michigan City Police Department at 219-874-3221 extension, #1082. If you know of someone who has direct knowledge of this incident, call the Crime Tip Hotline 219-873-1488.
