Antonio Hawley Receives 32-Year Sentence for 2021 D.C. Shooting

Antonio Hawley, a 23-year-old resident of Washington, D. C. , has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for the 2021 shooting death of Aaron Wiggins.

The sentencing took place in D. C. Superior Court, following Hawley's conviction for first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license.

The incident occurred on the sports field of Watkins Elementary School on October 6, 2021. According to the U. S.

Attorney's Office, the shooting followed a flag football scrimmage in which Wiggins, 26, caught the winning touchdown. The game had been marked by trash talk between Wiggins and members of Hawley's team, which escalated after the final play.

At approximately 9:45 p.m., as the teams were preparing to leave the field, Hawley retrieved a handgun from a teammate's bag and fired 17 shots at Wiggins, hitting him 13 times. Wiggins died at the scene.

Hawley was 18 years old at the time of the shooting. He was found guilty on February 3, 2026, and was sentenced by Judge Danya Dayson to 32 years of incarceration, followed by five years of supervised release.

U. S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated, "A flag football rivalry ended in murder.

Antonio Hawley fired 17 shots at Aaron Wiggins and killed him. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence. Today’s sentence cannot undo that loss, but it sends a clear message: if you take a life through violence, you will face serious consequences."

Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U. S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the sentence.

They commended the efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating the case and acknowledged Assistant U. S. Attorneys Jin Park and Mark Levy for prosecuting the case.