Suprena Mercelle Hunter, a 50-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on December 22, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at her home on Dapple Grey Lane in the University City area. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Suprena was shot and killed by her husband, Maurice Dermont Hunter, who was 51 years old at the time.
Maurice Hunter then attempted to shoot at least one other family member before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide.
The police were alerted to the scene by a 911 call made at approximately 3:42 a.m. Upon arrival, they found both Suprena and Maurice Hunter dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The initial investigation revealed that Maurice Hunter, a former employee of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and a bail bondsman, had shot his wife before taking his own life. No other individuals inside the home were injured during the incident.
The case was classified as a murder-suicide, and the investigation remained ongoing at the time. The police did not disclose any specific motive for the tragic event, but it was noted that domestic violence was a significant factor. Elyse Hamilton-Childres, Chair of the Domestic Advocacy Council in Mecklenburg County, emphasized that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and become lethal when one partner feels they are losing control over the other.
The incident was part of a broader pattern of domestic violence-related homicides in Charlotte, with 21 out of 86 homicides in the city in 2017 being linked to domestic violence. The tragic death of Suprena Mercelle Hunter highlighted the urgent need for resources and support for victims of domestic violence, as well as the importance of recognizing and addressing the warning signs of abusive relationships.
