{"id":156358,"date":"2021-04-12T18:36:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T22:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/?p=156358"},"modified":"2021-04-12T19:13:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T23:13:24","slug":"just-in-2-former-soldiers-charged-in-gruesome-killing-of-another-soldier-at-georgia-army-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/just-in-2-former-soldiers-charged-in-gruesome-killing-of-another-soldier-at-georgia-army-base\/","title":{"rendered":"2 former soldiers charged in gruesome killing of another soldier at Georgia Army base"},"content":{"rendered":"
SAVANNAH, GA — Two former soldiers have been indicted in U.S. District Court alleging a murder conspiracy after another soldier was found dead in his barracks room in June 2020.<\/p>\n
In a newly unsealed federal indictment, Byron Booker, 28, of Ludowici, Ga., and Jordan Brown, 21, of St. Marys, Ga., are charged in the death of Specialist Austin J. Hawke, 24, at Fort Stewart Military Reservation, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a high priority for our office to pursue justice for members of the military who are victims of violent crime,\u201d said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. \u201cWe commend the FBI and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command and other law enforcement partners for their tireless and detailed work on this case.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 21-page indictment alleges that Booker and Brown conspired to commit the offenses against Hawk in retaliation for Hawk reporting Booker to U.S. Army leadership for \u201cpoor leadership, poor military performance, and maltreatment of subordinates\u201d prior to Booker\u2019s discharge from the U.S. Army, and in retaliation for Hawk reporting Brown for drug use during his service.<\/p>\n
The indictment further alleges that Booker and Brown discussed \u201csilencing\u201d Hawk, and discussed Brown providing Booker with a key to access Hawk\u2019s room. The indictment alleges that Booker drove from his home on or about June 17, 2020, to Fort Stewart, and entered the installation on foot before walking approximately one mile to Hawk\u2019s barracks. The indictment then alleges that Booker killed Hawk by \u201cstabbing, cutting, and slashing\u201d him with an edged weapon, and that afterward Booker disposed of the clothing and shoes he was wearing at the time.<\/p>\n