Sixteen months after a teenager was gunned down near Romare Bearden Park in Uptown Charlotte, his stepfather is still asking the same question he had that night: who pulled the trigger?
Decarlos Boyd says his stepson, identified in earlier reports as Mitchell, was a jokester with big plans, and that the family wants one thing - a name. They are urging anyone who was at Romare Bearden Park the night of the shooting to come forward, especially friends who may have seen or heard something but have stayed quiet.
Stepfather urges witnesses, detectives press for tips
Boyd told WBTV that Mitchell was "a jokester - liked to joke, liked to play" and that the family is "gutted" by the loss. He pleaded with anyone who was with his stepson the night he died to really think back on what they know and to share it with detectives, even if it feels small or uncomfortable.
Detective Ashley Phillips, also speaking to the station, said the large crowd in and around the park that night has made the investigation tougher, and that detectives still need people who were there to step up and talk. As of March 4, 2026, no one has been charged in the killing, and the case remains open.
What happened that night
The shooting unfolded just before 10 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2024, near Romare Bearden Park in Uptown, where officers arrived to find the teen with a gunshot wound, according to WSOC. Medics later pronounced him dead.
Police blocked off part of the park and nearby South Church Street while investigators worked the scene. Witnesses told Channel 9 they heard gunfire and saw people running from the area. WSOC's initial coverage urged anyone with information to call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department tip line at 704-432-TIPS.
Police outreach and context
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has said anonymous tips can be left with Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or submitted through the P3 Tips app. The department has also pointed to targeted patrols in Uptown, including Romare Bearden Park, as part of Operation TRIO, according to its public safety reports.
CMPD's 2024 briefings note that the agency has emphasized specialized responses and youth-focused programs as part of its broader effort to reduce juvenile involvement in violence. Detectives and the family say any small detail from that November night - call logs, videos or even half-forgotten memories - could help move the case forward.
Why this matters now
The renewed push for answers comes as Uptown merchants and city leaders continue to air safety concerns in and around Romare Bearden Park after several violent incidents there in recent years, a recurring topic for city council members late last year, according to QCity Metro.
Boyd says the family is not seeking the spotlight. "We do not want no sympathy," he told the station. What they want is accountability, and they are hoping someone in Charlotte will finally come forward.
Investigators say anyone with information about the case can call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or submit a report through the P3 Tips app.
