James Herman Freiberg, a 48-year-old white male, passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. James, also known as Jimmy, was a well-known real estate agent and DJ in the Charlotte area. He was born on April 22, 1973, and had a vibrant personality that made him a beloved figure in his community. James was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had a successful career in real estate and sports memorabilia.
He was married to Vanessa Freiberg and had two children, Matthew Alexander Freiberg and Charley Quinn Freiberg.
James Freiberg's death was a result of a tragic incident involving a stray bullet. On the early morning of March 5, 2022, James was struck by a bullet from a nearby gunfight while he was inside his apartment on Hillgrove Lane, near Steele Creek Road in Charlotte. The bullet entered through a child's bedroom window, and James was found with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The gunfight occurred in the parking lot of the apartment complex and involved two groups of people who were unrelated to James.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched an investigation into the incident. Multiple shell casings were found in the parking lot, and a search warrant revealed that the shootout was a result of a dispute between the two groups. Witnesses reported seeing individuals involved in the fight and subsequent shooting. The police identified a suspect vehicle, described as a dark gray or black Dodge Charger, Challenger, or Chrysler 300, with extensive front-end damage and possibly bullet holes.
In September 2022, Michael Cornwell Jr. was charged with first-degree murder in connection with James Freiberg's death. The CMPD's investigation led to the arrest of Cornwell, who was believed to be involved in the shootout that resulted in the stray bullet striking James. The case brought attention to the issue of stray gunfire in Charlotte, which had seen several high-profile incidents of people being injured or killed by stray bullets in recent years.
