A year after being stalked by Kamel Hawkins, a Brooklyn woman solemnly reflected on a near-tragic fate similar to another of Hawkins' later victims.
Kamel Hawkins, involved in multiple harassment incidents, eventually escalated his dangerous behavior, resulting in the severe assault of a man on the subway tracks, the New York Post reported.
Hawkins, then 23, first began stalking the woman, an acquaintance from the Brooklyn Job Corps, after their platonic relationship soured. The initial rift grew when Hawkins abused her pet, prompting her to cut off all communications with him.
The woman tried to maintain distance by blocking Hawkins on her phone. However, he intensified his harassment by showing up at her apartment, kicking at her door, and bombarding her with unwelcome messages. This culminated on October 9, when he approached her residence wearing a ski mask, escalating the threat.
Seeking resolution, the woman reached out to Hawkins' father in a desperate plea for peace. She recounted to him the harassment and expressed her fear for her safety. However, her attempts to quell the situation proved futile. The confrontation with Hawkins' father did not alleviate her distress, as he seemed disinterested in resolving the issue effectively.
Meanwhile, Hawkins' behavior continued to spiral, leading to an assault in which he threw bleach at both the woman and her friend. This attack resulted in physical injuries and mental trauma for both victims. As a result, the harassment persisted, further adding to their fear and anxiety.
Then, on October 19, another harrowing encounter occurred. As the woman left her apartment, she spotted Hawkins, resembling the appearance he later had during the subway attack. Equipped with pepper spray, she attempted to defend herself, which led to a violent response from Hawkins. He retaliated by throwing a canned drink at her.
Following the October 19 incident, Hawkins was finally apprehended by the police and briefly held in custody. Despite the severity of his actions, he was released the next day without bail and enrolled in a youth diversion program, a decision that would have ramifications soon after.
The woman, recognizing the ongoing danger, filed an emergency request with the New York City Housing Authority and relocated on November 11 to ensure her safety. This drastic measure highlighted the extent of the threat posed by Hawkins.
However, the pattern of violence did not end with her relocation. Hawkins later targeted Joseph Lynskey, a man in Manhattan, by pushing him onto subway tracks. This violent act resulted in serious injuries for Lynskey, including a skull fracture, broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. Lynskey was hospitalized in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital.
In light of these events, Hawkins faced charges of attempted murder and assault. His actions not only led to severe physical harm to Lynskey but also added to his existing legal troubles, with assault and harassment charges pending from his earlier actions in Brooklyn.
The woman, reflecting on her harrowing experiences and the subsequent subway attack, expressed a poignant mix of relief and sorrow. "It could have been me," she noted, acknowledging the terrifying parallel outcomes of Hawkins' actions.
She also commented on the potential Hawkins had before choosing a path of violence. "It’s sad. I don’t wish anything bad for him. He could have finished school and become an IT tech. He could have left the projects. He could have changed his own story," she said, lamenting the wasted potential and the choices that led to such destructive outcomes.
The story of Kamel Hawkins serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing red flags in behavior and the profound impact of domestic violence and stalking on victims, urging society to take such signs seriously to prevent further tragedies.
