UPDATE: Police Continue Investigation Into Murder of 30-Year-Old La Plata Man, Suspect in Custody

December 31, 2022

Cordell Earl Spicer, 26 of La Plata

UPDATE 1/1/2023: On Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 4:06 p.m., officers responded to the area of Crain Highway and Port Tobacco Road in La Plata for the report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Donnell Henry Hawkins, 30 of La Plata, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Hawkins was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Witnesses described the suspect and an officer with the La Plata Police Department located him on foot nearby.

Cordell Earl Spicer, 26 of La Plata, was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

The victim and suspect are known to each other.

Spicer is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center. Detective R. Johnson is investigating.


12/31/2022: On Saturday, December 31, 2022, at approximately 4:13 p.m., police responded to the area of Crain Highway and Charles Street in La Plata, for the reported shooting.

As police responded to the scene, multiple 911 callers reported three black males were running from the area. The shooter was described as a black male wearing all black who was last seen walking towards Charles Street.

Officers arrived on the scene in under 2 minutes and located the suspect and placed him into custody. A 9mm handgun was recovered. While placing the suspect into custody, he stated to the officer he just shot someone.

At least three citizens witnessed the murder and gave statements to police.

The victim was located in the area of the Panda Express/Deluxe Inn suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Police released the following statement. “Police Activity: Officers are currently on the scene of a shooting at a motel in the area of Crain Highway and Charles Street in La Plata. A person of interest is in custody. More details to come.”