Nicholas Keenan James was remembered by family, friends, and acquaintances for his warmth, thoughtfulness, and the positive influence he had on the lives of those around him. Born on August 12, 1990, the 36-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, was a man whose memory, loved ones said, would live on in their hearts as a lasting reminder of the connections and experiences he brought to the world.
While he would be deeply missed, those who knew him reflected on the time they shared together.
The final moments of his life unfolded in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the parking lot of a hotel in west Charlotte. Shortly before 1:45 a.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) received a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at the Econo Lodge on Glenwood Drive. The hotel is located near Interstate 85 and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, approximately five miles west of the city’s Uptown center. Officers were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they discovered Nicholas Keenan James in the hotel parking lot suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services rushed him to Atrium Health Main, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Detectives with the CMPD Homicide Unit immediately took charge of the investigation. The department’s Crime Scene Search team processed the parking lot, collecting physical evidence related to the shooting. According to an arrest affidavit filed later, investigators determined the shooting occurred during a fight over allegedly stolen money. The court document did not specify the amount of money involved or offer further details about what led to the deadly confrontation. During the investigation, detectives recovered a Glock 45 9mm pistol. Personnel from the CMPD Operations Command and the Charlotte Fire Department also responded to the scene to assist.
Later that same day, police identified a suspect. The CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located and arrested 23-year-old Edgardo Antonio Hernandez Jr. without incident. Following his arrest, Hernandez was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Nicholas James. Authorities did not immediately release information regarding any prior relationship between the two men or other circumstances that may have precipitated the fatal encounter. The department notified Nicholas’s next of kin about his death and the arrest of the suspect.
In the weeks that followed, family and friends gathered to honor Nicholas’s life. A viewing was held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the King's Funeral Home Chapel on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. It was followed by a celebration of life service at 4:30 p.m. at the same location. On a memorial page, loved ones were invited to send flowers, leave condolences, and share memories of the moments they had shared with him.
As of October 2026, the criminal case against Edgardo Antonio Hernandez Jr. was proceeding through the Mecklenburg County court system, where he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The CMPD announced that the investigation remained active and ongoing, with Detective Barnett assigned as the lead investigator. The department stated that additional information would be released as the inquiry progressed. Authorities have asked that anyone with information about the shooting contact a Homicide Unit detective directly at 704-432-8477 (TIPS). For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, through the P3 Tips mobile application, or via the Crime Stoppers website.
