Two Alleged Gang Members Indicted for Fatal Drive-By Shooting in Muscogee County

Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment of Marquise Hawkins and Kendaryl Rogers for their alleged involvement in a fatal drive-by shooting that occurred on Aug. 6, 2020, in Columbus, Georgia. The defendants are charged with Felony Murder, Malice Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, among other offenses. Hawkins and Rogers are alleged members of a local criminal street gang known as Drive By Hustle Boys, which primarily aligns itself with the Rollin’ 60’s Neighborhood Crips.

“Our Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted three separate cases in Muscogee County, and each one involves a fatal shooting that should have never occurred,” said Carr. “This type of senseless violence will not be tolerated in our state. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all Georgians, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to put a stop to criminal gang activity wherever it occurs.”

This case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Gang Task Force.

“Criminal street gang members continue to commit violent acts and wreak havoc in Georgia communities,” said Incoming GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The GBI’s Gang Task Force remains committed to diligently investigating gang crimes and working with our local and state partners to disrupt these criminal networks.”

“The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office values the long-standing support from Governor Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr, along with the Gang Prosecution Unit that the Attorney General’s Office has provided to make an impact in criminal gang activity,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office stands committed to staying in this fight to ensure those committing gang crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the laws of Georgia.”

“The Columbus Police Department appreciates partnering with the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit to obtain the gang indictment in this brutal case in our city,” said Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis. “The hard work of the investigative team and the prosecutors are what it will take to make our city and communities safer. This is a strong example of teamwork and building working relationships with everyone involved in the process to obtain the best results for our community. Thank you to Attorney General Carr for his dedication to the prosecution of gang offenders and the safety of all Georgians.”

The Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit presented evidence to a Muscogee County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of the two defendants on July 25, 2023. The charges are listed below.

Marquise “Lil Hawk” Hawkins, 29, of Columbus:

• 1 count of Felony Murder – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1(c)
• 1 count of Malice Murder – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1(a)
• 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21(a)
• 1 count of Aggravated Battery – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-24(a)
• 5 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act – O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4(a), O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4(b), and O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4(e)
• 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony – O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106(b)(1)
• 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree – O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22(a)(1)

Kendaryl “KD” Rogers, 30, of Columbus:

• 2 counts of Felony Murder – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1(c)
• 1 count of Malice Murder – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-1(a)
• 2 counts of Aggravated Assault – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21(a)
• 1 count of Aggravated Battery – O.C.G.A. § 16-5-24(a)
• 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act – O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4(a) and O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4(b)
• 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony – O.C.G.A. § 16-11-106(b)(1)
• 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon During a Crime – O.C.G.A. § 16-11-133(b)(1)
• 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon – O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131(b)
• 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree – O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22(a)(1)

A copy of the indictment can be found below. No further information about the indictment or the investigation may be released at this time.

About the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit

Last year, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia’s first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit.

Since it began its historic work on July 1, 2022, the Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted 85 alleged gang members in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bryan, Cobb, Dougherty, Gwinnett, Muscogee, and Thomas counties.

The Gang Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General’s Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and his Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit.

The statewide Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany and Augusta, Georgia.

*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.