Zackary Evan Rieken, an 18-year-old White male from Waxhaw, North Carolina, was remembered by friends as funny and kind. He had recently been a student at Cuthbertson High School.
On the night of October 25, 2024, just before midnight, Zackary was shot and killed in his vehicle in south Charlotte. The incident occurred in the 12800 block of James Blakeney Avenue.
A Ring doorbell camera in the neighborhood captured the sound of a gunshot, and video showed at least four individuals running to a white SUV to flee the scene. After being shot, Zackary attempted to drive away but crashed his vehicle into a nearby tree. Responding officers found him inside the car suffering from a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that the shooting happened during a drug deal that was set up as a robbery. According to detectives, 18-year-old Maximillian Ruggiero orchestrated the plot. Authorities stated that Ruggiero had previously bought marijuana from Zackary, owed him money, and had robbed him in the past. Knowing Zackary would no longer sell to him, Ruggiero allegedly instructed a 17-year-old to arrange the meeting.
The investigation led to three arrests. On October 29, 2024, police took a 17-year-old male into custody. On November 1, they arrested 18-year-old Smajie A’Nee Johnson. Both were charged with murder and shooting into an occupied property. Police alleged that Johnson was the shooter. On December 3, authorities arrested Ruggiero, who they said drove the suspects to and from the scene in a rented Mercedes. Ruggiero was charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Following the arrests, two of the men charged in connection with Zackary’s death pleaded guilty. Both were sentenced to prison, bringing a resolution to the case.
