CALIFORNIA—The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Officer announced that Umeir Corniche Hawkins, 38, a security officer at a market in Gardena, was charged on Wednesday, July 8 with murder, after a fight occurred with a shopper who was not wearing a facial mask.
Hawkins faces one count each of possession of a handgun and murder by a felon. His wife, Sabrina Carter, 51, was with Hawkins during the incident and was charged with one count of possession of a handgun by a felon.
The felony report stated that Hawkins and Carter were convicted in 2013 for assault employing force with intentions of producing great bodily injury. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are scheduled to return to court on July 10 in Department 8 in the Torrance Branch of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The fight transpired after Jerry Lewis, 50, went to the market on July 5 without a facial mask. Lewis argued with Hawkins, left the store, but returned and got into a fight with Hawkins, who shot the victim as he proceeded to exit the establishment prosecutors noted.
Bail for Hawkins was set at $1 million, while Carter’s bail was set at $35,000. Carter could face up to 3 years in prison and Hawkins could face a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged.
The case is still under investigation by the Gardena Police Department.
