Damon Fard Bruce, a 45-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on February 6, 2019, in the parking lot of Atrium Health NorthEast in Concord, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the entrance of the emergency room. According to reports, Bruce was visiting a common acquaintance at the hospital when he got into a physical altercation with another individual, Exavier Malique Williams. During the altercation, Bruce was shot in the head.
Cabarrus County paramedics, who were nearby, provided immediate medical treatment and transported Bruce into the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The Concord Police Department quickly identified and detained Exavier Malique Williams as the suspect in the shooting. Williams was initially questioned and released pending further investigation. However, on February 20, 2019, Williams was arrested and charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter for his involvement in Bruce's death. He was also charged with four unrelated offenses stemming from an investigation in Mecklenburg County. Williams is currently being held in the Cabarrus County Jail under a $125,000 bond.
The investigation revealed that the shooting was not a random act, as Bruce and Williams knew each other. Both men were visiting a shared acquaintance at the hospital when the altercation occurred. The police have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the community, and they are continuing to review available evidence and interview witnesses to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the shooting. The case remains under investigation, and additional information may be released as it becomes available.
