On May 29, 2022, Darion McClendon, a 25-year-old African American male, and his 4-month-old son, Da'mari McClendon, were tragically killed in a shooting in Monroe, North Carolina. The incident occurred just after 10 p.m. at their home on Morrow Avenue. Authorities responded to the scene and found both father and son dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The shooting left bullet holes in the house and some of the cars parked outside.
Darion McClendon was a father of two, leaving behind another son who is just two years old.
The Monroe Police Department described the shooting as a "senseless act of violence." Darion McClendon and his family were reportedly having a barbecue when a gunman came onto the property and fired shots, striking and killing both Darion and his infant son. Two other children, aged 9 and 11, were also present in the home at the time of the shooting, though they were not physically harmed. The community held a candlelight vigil to remember Darion and Da'mari, highlighting the impact of their loss on the family and the neighborhood.
In August 2022, police arrested 21-year-old Tahjii Katrell Salves Bennett in connection with the double homicide. Bennett was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Darion McClendon and Da'mari McClendon. Additionally, he faced charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm into an occupied property, and injury to personal property. Bennett is currently being held in the Union County Jail without bond. The Monroe Police Chief praised the department's efforts in the exhaustive investigation, which involved gathering extensive evidence and leaving no stone unturned.
The arrest of Bennett brought a mix of emotions to the McClendon family, who knew him from their church community. Despite the arrest, the family continues to grapple with the senseless nature of the crime and the loss of their loved ones. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward to help bring justice for Darion and Da'mari.
