On Saturday, April 18, at about 8:44 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say an exchange of gunfire in west Charlotte left a 24-year-old man dead near Beatties Ford Road. Investigators say bullets hit at least one occupied home during the chaos. The man who was shot reportedly drove to a hospital in a personal vehicle and later died.
Officials Identify Victim and Release Case Details
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified the man as 24-year-old Zaquez Samprese Blakley and said his family has been notified, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The department lists the case under report number 20260418-2044-00, names Detective Haulsee as the lead investigator and asks anyone with information to call 704-432-8477.
Scene and Timeline
Officers responded to a call about shots fired into an occupied dwelling on the 2300 block of Dundeen Street, one block west of Beatties Ford Road, and concluded that two people had exchanged gunfire, with at least one home struck by bullets, according to WBTV. One of the people involved later arrived at a hospital in a personal vehicle and subsequently died from their injuries, the Charlotte Observer reported. Police say no one inside the home that was hit by gunfire was injured.
DA Review and "Justified" Ruling
In an update published May 5, CMPD classified the April 18 killing as a "justified" homicide and said it will not seek charges. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office consulted with detectives and agreed with that decision, according to reporting by WCCB. That determination means prosecutors concluded the facts did not support criminal charges in this case, although CMPD says its investigation remains active.
How To Help Investigators
CMPD says the investigation is ongoing and urges anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at 704-432-8477 or leave an anonymous tip with Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or through the P3 Tips app, per the department's release. Crime Scene Search and Homicide Unit detectives processed evidence at the scene as part of the continuing inquiry.
