In the light of a late Friday afternoon in north Charlotte, a violent encounter cut short the life of 27-year-old Luis Fernando Hernandez. On March 6, 2026, at approximately 4 p.m., police responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 2200 block of Alma Court, near Statesville Avenue. Upon their arrival, they discovered a male victim, later identified as Hernandez, with apparent gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of officers to provide lifesaving measures, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting unfolded over the next two days. Initially, it was reported that there may not have been any eyewitnesses to the shooting itself, and police utilized K-9 units to track the suspect. However, it later emerged that witness statements and surveillance footage from a nearby store proved crucial in identifying a person of interest. One account suggests that the shooting followed an argument, during which the assailant fired multiple shots from behind parked cars.
As a result of the investigation, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested 37-year-old J.B. James Jones on Sunday, March 8. After being interviewed by detectives, Jones was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. He has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Following his arrest, J.B. James Jones made his first court appearance on Monday, where he was denied bond and appointed a public defender. His next court date was scheduled for March 27. Jones is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting or stated whether Hernandez and Jones knew each other prior to the incident. The investigation into the death of Luis Fernando Hernandez is ongoing.
