Killing of Willie Frank Hawthorne in Florida in 1949

Incident

Case summary

William Frank Hawthorne (1923-1949), a laborer and Navy veteran, was killed by off-duty police officer Andres L. Almoina in Miami, Dade County, Florida. Almoina claimed that he arrested Hawthorne for threatening two other Black men with a knife, and that he accidentally shot Hawthorne as Hawthorne fled from his car. Hawthorne’s widow secured a $2,500 settlement from the city.

Victim(s):

Willie Frank Hawthorne


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Andres L. Almoina

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1949-12-03
Location: Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: arguing with other Black men; attempting to escape from police custody

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
court records
death certificates
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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