Robert Darby, a 30-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on October 27, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Darby was on the verge of opening a new business in the north Charlotte community when the incident occurred. The shooting took place just after 7 p.m. on Pegram Street at Parkwood Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood, which is just outside of uptown Charlotte. Darby was transported to the hospital shortly after the shooting, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Darby was in the process of opening a gambling arcade, having rented out a business space and recently cleaned it up in preparation for the new venture. His family, including his sister Roselyn Darby, expressed their grief and desire for closure, urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Despite the efforts of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the community, no arrests have been made, and no suspect descriptions have been released.
The investigation into Darby's murder has been ongoing, with the CMPD conducting a homicide investigation near the 1700 block of Pegram Street. Crime scene investigators gathered evidence, including photos of bullet holes in the glass at the front of the business. The owner of the coffee shop where the shooting occurred mentioned that her business had been closed since March due to the pandemic, and it remains unclear whether the shooting happened inside or outside the building.
As of 2024, no arrests have been made in connection with Darby's murder. The case remains unsolved, and the CMPD continues to seek the public's help in solving the crime. The community has been working with the police to address crime in the neighborhood, but Darby's murder serves as a chilling reminder of the ongoing challenges they face.
