Man shot dead at Warner Robins motel

A 34-year-old Warner Robins man was killed late Tuesday outside a motel.

At about 11 p.m., officers were called to the Budget Inn at 2076 Watson Blvd., police spokeswoman Jennifer Parson said.

Upon arrival, they found Donell Nathaniel Hawkins dead with a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was found outside a first-floor room.

Crime scene technicians gathered evidence and photographed the scene Wednesday. Officers used 3-D imaging equipment to recreate the scene for investigators.

Crime scene tape had roped off the parking lot where Jacob Kirby spent Tuesday night. Kirby was staying directly above the room where the victim was killed.

"We heard a door slam below us. ... It was just one gunshot," Kirby said.

Police Chief Brett Evans said officers have been called to the Budget Inn in the past, but nothing in recent memory.

Evans said they have a few leads but were not ready to pinpoint a motive for the shooting.

A news release issued later by Warner Robins police stated that Hawkins “was known to law enforcement.” Parson declined to elaborate. No other information was released by police.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections website, Hawkins had been in and out of prison for multiple convictions of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine. All the crimes were in Houston County.

He also used several aliases including Lydell Jones, Darnell Hawkins and various other spellings of his name, according to the website.

Shontai Clark, Hawkins’ friend, talked to the police at the motel, hoping to learn more about what happened.

“He was good dude, quiet, didn’t mess with nobody,” said Clark, who last saw him late Sunday night.

Clark suspects robbery might have been a motive.

“Everybody knows he’s a good dude. He doesn’t mess with nobody. He stays to hisself. That’s about it, you know. He’s just a good dude,” she said.

Warner Robins police Detective Mark Wright is leading the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to call Wright at 478-302-5380, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 877-68-CRIME.

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 6:53 AM with the headline "Man shot dead at Warner Robins motel."