On November 12, 2015, Jerome Blakely, a 31-year-old father, was shot and killed outside his home at the McAden Park Apartments in east Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred just a day before his son's eighth birthday. Blakely's mother, who was inside their home at the time, heard the gunshots and ran outside to find her son gravely injured. Despite her efforts to keep him calm, Blakely passed away en route to the hospital.
Neighbors described him as a quiet and respectful man who kept to himself, and some expressed disbelief, stating that he was likely not the intended target. His killing marked Charlotte's 56th homicide of the year. Law enforcement continues to investigate the case, but no arrests have been made.
