Charlotte (The Queen City News) – Jayce Edwards, who was four years old at the time of the terrible shooting in a Steele Creek community, has been identified by authorities.
Four people are now in custody, facing accusations in connection with his killing.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested three guys in Steele Creek on Wednesday, September 17: Marquise Geurrier, 24, Angelo Hudson, 20, and Jordan Davis, 23.
CMPD says they were discovered and apprehended by members of the Steele Creek Division and SWAT squad. The males were taken to the CMPD’s Law Enforcement Center, interrogated by homicide detectives, and eventually charged with first-degree murder.
They are presently in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and are being held without bond.
Fourth suspect arrested in Raleigh
On Thursday morning, a fourth suspect, 18-year-old Anthony Abel, was apprehended in Raleigh with the assistance of the Raleigh Police Department’s Fugitive Unit and CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team. He, too, faces first-degree murder charges and will be extradited to Mecklenburg County in the coming weeks.
Detectives have stated that they are currently their route to Raleigh to interview him.
Attempted car theft becomes deadly.
The investigation started early Wednesday morning, when CMPD responded to an attempted vehicle theft near Steele Creek. According to authorities, several suspects attempted to steal a Dodge Charger parked outside a home on Cigar Court.
The attempted theft turned tragic when gunfire erupted at 6 a.m., striking a home and killing 4-year-old Jayce, who was sleeping inside. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Several stolen vehicles
According to police, the suspects attempted to break into the Charger after arriving in a stolen Dodge Durango from Cabarrus County earlier that morning.
The suspects were seen on surveillance footage during the crimes, and court filings state that they escaped in various stolen vehicles, including a Jeep and a Chevy Camaro linked to another incident in York County, South Carolina.
Captures and confessions.
Investigators used security footage from a Mecklenburg County gas station to identify some of the suspects. A police chase ensued, and Hudson was apprehended and admitted to his involvement, according to court documents.
According to court filings, Hudson admitted to being at the site and hearing gunfire as the group attempted to break into the automobile. He said that bullets were fired by “someone” inside the Durango. Based on his confession and accompanying evidence, the CMPD feels there is probable cause to charge Hudson and the others with murder.
Community support and collaboration
On Thursday, CMPD attributed the case’s success to strong collaboration among several law enforcement agencies, including the Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET), the York County Sheriff’s Office, and community support.
While four people have been arrested, the CMPD said the investigation is still ongoing.
Jayce’s family has been told of the arrests. His death has shocked the Steele Creek community, and CMPD has stated that they are determined to obtaining justice for the little victim.
