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FORT WORTH — The problems started shortly after Anthony Hawkins and his family moved into their newly built home in southeast Fort Worth a year ago.
It began, family members say, with gang graffiti sprayed on their car and mailbox at their home in the 4400 block of Shackleford Street.Since then, they say, burglars have broken into the home twice, kicking in doors or breaking windows and stealing money and electronics. Last month, a day before one of those burglaries, Hawkins scared off a man he found removing the rims and tires from his car by firing a warning shot.At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, Fort Worth police believe, two men intent on burglarizing the home again kicked in the front door. Anthony Hawkins, who had lost his job in recent weeks, was home. "My brother called, and he said, 'Somebody’s kicking in my door,’ " Joseph Hawkins said. "I said, 'Anthony, protect yourself. I’m on my way.’ " When Joseph Hawkins arrived a short time later, one of the suspected burglars was dead in the street and police were swarming in on the second, who was seriously injured.Sgt. Pedro Criado, a police spokesman, said it appears the two had just entered the home when they were met by the owner’s gunfire. One fled around the side of the house before collapsing on Collin Street. The man, who had not been identified as of Friday afternoon, was pronounced dead at the scene.The other suspect ran to a red Ford Explorer parked on Shackleford when the homeowner opened fire again, possibly after seeing the suspect reach under the seat as if going for a weapon. That suspect was taken to a hospital, and police radio reports indicated that he had been shot in the shoulder and head. His condition was not available.Anthony Hawkins was questioned by police Friday and released."We’ve interviewed the homeowner, and we’ve looked at the physical evidence," homicide Sgt. J.D. Thornton said. "Right now he’s been released pending further investigation. We’ll present the findings to the district attorney’s office."On Friday afternoon, there were three bullet holes visible in the Explorer’s windshield and a fourth in the hood.Joseph Hawkins said a neighbor who called 911 had apparently spotted the Explorer rolling slowly down the street when one of the men jumped out, ran to the home’s front door and kicked it in. Hawkins said the neighbor then saw the Explorer’s driver make a U-turn before stopping, getting out and entering the house himself."It doesn’t look like he’s at home because he’s got both cars in the garage," Joseph Hawkins said of his brother. "They kicked the door in thinking he wasn’t there."Hawkins said he thanked God that his brother’s youngest child, a 4-year-old girl, was not at home when the break-in occurred."She was sick for a couple of days and she just went to school today, so she could have been at home when this happened," Joseph Hawkins said.Police were investigating whether the same two men may have tried to burglarize a north Fort Worth residence earlier Friday; that resident fired at the suspects as they fled in a similarly described vehicle.DEANNA BOYD, 817-390-7655
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