Police: MGM National Harbor Shooting Suspect ‘Blessed’ With Neck Tattoo Gunned Down Friend in Cold Blood

Posted on: December 5, 2025, 08:32h. 

Last updated on: December 5, 2025, 09:02h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • A man is in custody for the December 3 shooting at MGM National Harbor
  • The shooting left one man dead
  • Police believe the two knew one another

A 22-year-old man arrested in conjunction with the MGM National Harbor shooting on Wednesday could spend the rest of his life in prison should he be found guilty of the first- and second-degree murder charges against him. His days of being “blessed,” as his large neck tattoo implies, are presumably over.

MGM National Harbor shooting murder
Benjamin Williams, 22, allegedly gunned down a 23-year-old man inside the MGM National Harbor casino resort on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. The MGM property is located just outside of Washington, DC, in Oxon Hill, Md. (Image: PGC Police Department)

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified Benjamin Williams of Fort Washington as the alleged shooter.

Law enforcement said the casino’s vast surveillance system captured Williams entering the MGM property shortly before noon on December 3. Video footage shows Williams patrolling the food court before locating 23-year-old Darnell Hawkins Jr., of Washington, DC, standing in line.

Williams allegedly approached Hawkins in the National Market and shot him several times at point-blank range. There was no scuffle or altercation before the shooting. Hawkins died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Williams fled in the same vehicle in which he arrived. Police quickly determined the incident to be isolated and targeted, with Police Chief George Nader declaring, “The casino is safe. The Harbor is safe.”

Suspect Hunted Down 

With police quickly able to identify the shooter through the assistance of the casino’s security network, Williams was located about 14 hours later at a home in College Park and was taken into custody without incident on an arrest warrant.

Williams is being held on a no-bond status at the PGC Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro. Detectives believe Williams and Hawkins knew one another, but a motive for the shooting remains unclear. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 301-516-2512. Anonymous tips can be submitted at www.pgcrimesolvers.com.

MGM National Harbor is one of the most financially successful casinos outside of Las Vegas. Through October, the casino has generated 2025 gross gaming revenue of more than $685.8 million.

Law enforcement claims the MGM National Harbor shooting was an exception to a regional downward trend in violent crime.

We have not had crimes like this at the National Harbor. Violent crime is down approximately 32% this year,” said Nader. “It’s rare that incidents like this occur.”

As for whether MGM needs to do more to protect the resort, Nader says the property is secure. While security does check for weapons on the casino floor, the police chief says you also “don’t get checked for weapons when you go into a shopping mall,” seemingly implying that public places come with inherent risk.

‘Blessed’ Tattoo

Many followers of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s X account highlighted the irony of Williams’ neck tattoo. A recycling logo above the word “blessed” is also seen.

“Guess the whole ‘blessed’ thing didn’t work out,” read one comment.

Williams has been assigned a public defender. He’s due in court on January 2 for a preliminary hearing. Williams is listed as 6’1″, 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His race is Black.

Williams’ residence is listed as Sunfield Terrace in Fort Washington.