Malik Boyd, a 20-year-old African American male, was found dead on April 21, 2022, near Albemarle Road Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Boyd's body was discovered with apparent trauma, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person around 6:30 a.m. near the 7800 block of Riding Trail Road, which is close to the elementary school. The investigation revealed that Boyd had been shot to death.
A 16-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed due to their age, was arrested on April 29, 2022, in connection with Boyd's murder. The suspect was charged with first-degree murder. Boyd's father, Claude Lucas, believes that his son and the suspect were members of the same gang. Lucas has expressed his frustration with the district attorney's decision to offer the teen a plea deal, reducing the first-degree murder charge to manslaughter. He feels that the punishment is not commensurate with the crime, stating, "I think killing a dog would get you more time than what they offered for killing my son".
The case has garnered significant attention, with Boyd's family demanding justice for his murder. The arraignment for the suspect is scheduled for April. The CMPD continues to investigate the incident, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers. The community remains vigilant, hoping for a resolution that brings justice to Malik Boyd and his family.
