A 51-year-old man is behind bars after Charlotte police say he killed a 27-year-old man in the parking lot of an Uptown apartment complex earlier this month, then robbed him as he lay dying.
The victim, identified as Said Ali Altabtabae, was found with stab wounds at the Flatiron West Trade/Ten05 apartments on June 10 and died before he could be taken to the hospital. The suspect is now charged with murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon and is being held in the Mecklenburg County jail.
Police Identify Victim, Make Arrest
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say homicide detectives identified the victim and obtained warrants for 51-year-old David Layevette Lawrence before locating and arresting him on June 18. Detectives interviewed Lawrence at the Law Enforcement Center, then charged him with murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Scene And Timeline
Officers were first called around 6:42 a.m. on June 10 on an Assist Medic call to the 1000 block of South Sycamore Green Place, where they found a person with stab wounds in the apartment complex parking lot. Neighbors later described seeing crime tape wrapped around the scene and tow trucks moving vehicles as investigators worked the case, the Charlotte Observer reported.
What The Arrest Warrant Alleges
An arrest warrant in the case alleges the suspect took the victim's phone during the June 10 attack. The document lists Lawrence's address as a unit in the Sycamore Green Place complex near West Trade Street and Johnson and Wales Way. Authorities say he was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail after his arrest and was scheduled to appear in court on Friday, June 19, according to WBTV.
A Life Cut Short
CMPD identified the victim as 27-year-old Said Ali Altabtabae. UNC Charlotte's May 2026 commencement program lists a "Said Ali Altabtabae" among engineering degree candidates, suggesting he may have recently completed his studies, according to the UNC Charlotte commencement program. Residents told reporters the complex rarely experienced serious trouble, and that the early morning killing left neighbors rattled, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Investigation Ongoing
CMPD says the homicide investigation is still active and has asked anyone with information to call homicide detectives at 704-432-8477 (TIPS) or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, or to submit an anonymous tip online. Police say more details will be released as the case develops, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
