Andre C. Boyd Jr., a 22-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on July 29, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Boyd, affectionately known as A.J., was a beloved member of his community and family. He was known for his gentle-hearted nature, sense of humor, and dedication to his family business. Boyd excelled academically, graduating with honors from Lake Norman High School, and was actively involved in various hobbies such as jet skiing, dirt biking, horseback riding, playing
basketball, and riding motorcycles. His sudden death left a profound impact on his loved ones and the community.
On the day of his death, Boyd was shot and killed at an apartment complex in north Charlotte. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call at the Nevin Chase Apartments, where they found Boyd with multiple gunshot wounds. This incident marked the 70th homicide in Charlotte for the year 2020.
The investigation into Boyd's death led to the arrest of two suspects: 20-year-old Curtis Beatty and 17-year-old Deontre Watson. Both individuals were charged with first-degree murder. However, Watson later pled guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon and could potentially be released from prison in as little as five years. Beatty, on the other hand, intends to go to trial, with his attorney planning to build a case around self-defense.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays in the court system, resulting in a backlog of cases. This has meant that Boyd's family has had to endure a prolonged wait for justice, with the trial for Beatty expected to take another two to three years to commence. Despite the challenges, Boyd's family remains hopeful for a resolution and continues to honor his memory.
