Jaqual Malik Bennett, an 18-year-old male from Charlotte, NC, tragically passed away on November 4, 2017. His death was ruled a homicide by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner. Jaqual was found lying dead in the driveway of a home in southeast Charlotte. The cause of death was not immediately released, but it was later confirmed that he had been shot.
The investigation into Jaqual's death led to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy named Scott Bryan Penaloza.
Penaloza was charged with the murder of Jaqual Bennett. The shooting occurred around 3:40 a.m. on November 4, 2017, in the 1800 block of Village Lake Drive. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department detectives identified Penaloza as a suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was located and arrested without incident by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Jaqual Bennett's death has left a significant impact on his community, and the investigation into his murder continues to be a topic of concern. The legal proceedings against Scott Bryan Penaloza are ongoing, and the case has drawn attention to the issue of gun violence among youth in Charlotte.
