Taking Action Against Crime, Unsolved Murders: Mark Watkins
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Alabama News Network is Taking Action Against Crime with unsolved murders. It’s part two of a four-part series we’ve been bringing to you in hopes of generating new leads to solve these cold cases.
Tonight, we’re updating you on the case of Mark Watkins, who was killed in a drive-by shooting six years ago outside of a friend’s Montgomery home.
“I just can’t believe I have to see him here. Everytime. I have to come here… to just give him the latest gossip,” Said Victoria Watson, standing over her brother’s grave.
And then I have to come her and tell him nothing yet. Nothing yet.”
Mark Watkins’ was 27-years-old when he was murdered. Watson drives from Atlanta every chance she gets to assure him, she’s not done finding his killer.
“And until this case is solved, we’re not going to stop fighting,” Said Watson, kneeling at her brothers grave.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office says Mark was inside a friend’s Lark Drive home back in February 2008. They say he walked outside when he heard a car drive by and honk its horn. That’s when he was shot in the chest and ran back inside to get some help. He died of those wounds.
Who shot him is still a mystery.
But Watson says things look a little different in this neighborhood after not returning to the scene in six years.
“I knew the house was shaded blue,” Said Watson as we arrived at the scene. “I’m sorry I’m trying to get myself together,” She said in tears.
And she was right. Since then, a new home has been built over the old one. Still, it’s not easy returning to the scene.
“It hurts… because it’s like I feel his spirit, I feel his presence. It’s eerie. It hurts,” Said Watson.
District Attorney, Daryl Bailey says a new home in its place does not hurt the investigation. He says someone has answers.
“Regardless of how the house has changed they know where it happened, and they know what happened,” Said Bailey.
And Watson is pleading for them to come forward.
“You know what happened! Why you wont tell your story, I don’t know. Why! Why they won’t tell what happened?” Pleaded Watson.
“Mark had three children that are all now in school, making good grades, but he left behind three children that dont have a father. She’s struggling because she doesnt have a brother who wa supposed to sing in her wedding a couple of weeks after this murder had occurred,” Said Bailey.
Instead — Watkins lays at this cemetery….
“And Lord, I believe in your name, it is done…. it is done,” prayed Watson.
No killer found. The pieces to his story still being put together.
Watson says this has hit her and her family so hard she hasn’t been able to find it in herself to forgive her brother’s killer. She hopes to do that one day. But first, she wants that closure of knowing who killed him and why.
There is an $11,000 reward for anyone who can help with a lead that solves this case. If you have any information on Mark Watkins murder, you’re asked to call Crimestoppers at 215-STOP or the district attorney’s office at 832-7196.
