Charlotte is investigating a recent homicide involving 19-year-old Kennedi Jones, who was found critically injured in a crashed car on Shamrock Drive. James Mason, 24, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with her death, according to WCNC. Court documents show that Mason faces charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
On the night of December 25, 2024, at 11:20 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers found Jones' vehicle down an embankment near the road. She was taken to a hospital but later died from her injuries, according to Charlotte Alerts. It is alleged that Mason and a co-conspirator stole Jones' backpack and cell phone and that Mason threatened her with a gun before her death, though the exact manner of her death has not been disclosed.
Dreshon Jibri Moreno, 21, has been previously arrested in connection with Jones' murder, facing similar charges as Mason, WSOC-TV noted. An arrest warrant for Mason cited charges including first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy robbery in connection to the case. The circumstances of Jones' death remain under investigation, and law enforcement has not publicly detailed how she died.
Mason, who is now implicated in Jones' murder, faces a serious allegation, as this is his second murder charge within a year. He was previously arrested and charged with the murder of 17-year-old Calvin Washington in January 2024, according to Charlotte Alerts. Moreno, the co-defendant in Jones' case, remains in jail without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 22. Mason was in court yesterday, where he faced the allegations brought against him.
