Oscar Steele, a 31-year-old male from Charlotte, NC, was found shot to death in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Oak Arbor Lane in the Grier Heights neighborhood on June 3, 2020. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to the scene and pronounced Steele dead at the scene. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m., and the investigation was immediately launched as a homicide.
Two suspects, 22-year-old Kareem Lamonthay Johnson and 20-year-old Karnell Antonio
Lawrence, were identified and charged in connection with Steele's death. Johnson was charged with murder, while Lawrence was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. The suspects were later found in Texarkana, Arkansas, and are awaiting extradition back to North Carolina to face charges. The CMPD has not disclosed what led to the shooting or whether the suspects knew Steele.
Oscar Steele was known in the community as an advocate against gun violence. He had been working with young people across Charlotte through his "Guns Down, Gloves Up" program, which encouraged teens to channel their frustrations into boxing instead of resorting to gun violence. Steele's mother, Laura Steele, has spoken about her son's legacy and the impact he had on the community. Friends and family organized boxing matches in his honor, and a memorial service was planned to celebrate his life and continue his mission against gun violence.
The investigation into Steele's death remains active, and the CMPD continues to seek justice for the victim. The community has rallied around Steele's family, demanding justice and honoring his memory through various demonstrations and events.
