Ebon Bell, a 45-year-old man from Charlotte, North Carolina, is remembered by his loved ones for the many lives he touched and the memories he created. Born on November 28, 1980, Ebon was a father whose presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community. His cousin described his death as a senseless loss, lamenting that Ebon would no longer be there to raise his daughter.
The afternoon of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, turned tragic in the Tryon Hills neighborhood of north
Charlotte. Around 3 p.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department received a call for an assault with a deadly weapon on the 200 block of West 30th Street, near North Church Street. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Ebon Bell suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Paramedics with MEDIC rushed him to a local hospital, but medical staff were unable to save his life, and he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit immediately began working the case. Detectives and crime scene search personnel responded to the scene to interview witnesses and collect physical evidence. The department announced quickly that they had identified all individuals believed to be involved in the incident and were not searching for any additional suspects.
The day after the shooting, police arrested 50-year-old Morris Darnell Crawford in connection with Ebon Bell’s death. Crawford was taken into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. According to court records, Crawford had a previous conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon in Mecklenburg County in February 2020. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance on the morning of October 7, 2026.
While police have not released details about what led to the shooting, Ebon Bell’s cousin revealed that Ebon knew the man accused of killing him. In a statement, the cousin spoke to the devastating impact on both families involved. "He ain't going to be here to raise his daughter no more," he said of Ebon. "Morris, you ain't going to be here to raise your kids and your grandkids...everybody lose in this situation. Everybody, not just my family, his family done lost."
A viewing for Ebon was held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, followed by a funeral service at the House of Rosadale Home of Funerals in Charlotte. The family created a tribute page for friends and loved ones to share memories and express their condolences.
The investigation into Ebon Bell's death was described as active and ongoing as of October 2026. The lead detective assigned to the case is Detective Diekhaus. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit directly at 704-432-8477 or to leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
