Christopher James Locus, a 23-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on September 21, 2016, in Raleigh, North Carolina. His body was discovered at the intersection of South Blount and East Lenoir streets around 7:15 a.m. that morning. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, which he sustained during an altercation near the Shaw University campus. Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot around midnight, followed by people running in a panic.
Locus was not a student at Shaw University, but he was known to frequent the area.
The investigation into Locus's death led to the arrest of Charles Douglas Mitchell, a 25-year-old male, who was charged with murder. Mitchell and Locus were acquainted, and the shooting was not considered a random act of violence. Mitchell had a history of criminal activity, including charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, resisting a public officer, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. At the time of his arrest, Mitchell was being held at the Wake County Detention Center.
Locus's death was a significant event in the community, highlighting the ongoing issues of violence in the area. A woman who worked at a nearby corner mini-mart expressed her concern about the frequent gunshots and violence in the neighborhood. Locus himself had a troubled past, with a 2013 conviction on drug charges and pending court appearances for various charges, including breaking and entering, larceny, assault by pointing a gun, and probation violations.
The case against Mitchell proceeded through the legal system, with the Raleigh Police Department actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Locus's death. The community was urged to come forward with any additional information that could aid in the investigation. The tragic loss of Christopher James Locus served as a stark reminder of the pervasive violence in certain areas and the need for continued efforts to address these issues.
