Parren Hawkins, a 33-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has entered a guilty plea to charges of carjacking and unlawful possession of a firearm. This plea relates to an incident that took place on February 2, 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro alongside Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
According to evidence presented by the government, the carjacking occurred around 2:47 a.m. on February 2, 2025. Police officers responded to the scene in the 300 block of 15th Street, NE, where they encountered the victim. The victim reported that Hawkins approached him while he was inside his vehicle and brandished a handgun before ordering him out of the car. Complying with Hawkins' demands, the victim handed over his wallet and cell phone before Hawkins drove away in the vehicle heading northbound on the 400 block of 15th Street, NE.
The victim managed to flag down a passerby and called for police assistance via 911. During this time, officers from Prince George’s County Police spotted the stolen vehicle in Oxon Hill, Maryland. A pursuit ensued until Hawkins crashed into a curb at Bonini Road, SE, and Barnaby Road, SE in Washington D.C., where he attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly apprehended by police officers. A handgun was recovered from Hawkins's pocket along with the victim’s wallet and phone.
Hawkins is scheduled for sentencing on August 7, 2025, before Judge Robert Salerno.
The case investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaniqua Butler handling prosecution duties.