On July 18, 2024, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a reported assault with a deadly weapon in the 6000 block of Cattail Court, located in Charlotte's Hickory Grove Division. Upon arrival, they discovered 18-year-old Rashaka Black Prince suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
The initial investigation revealed that Prince was shot outside his residence. A family member reportedly found him at the scene. Authorities have indicated that the shooting does not appear to be a random act, suggesting that Prince may have been targeted.
As of now, CMPD has not announced any arrests or identified any suspects in connection with Prince's death. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with detectives working to uncover further details. CMPD has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or submit information online at the Crime Stoppers website.
In the wake of this tragedy, Prince's family has sought community support to cover funeral expenses. A GoFundMe campaign titled "Celebration of Life for Rashaka Black Prince" was established by his mother, Marilyn Brinkley, who expressed profound grief over the loss of her youngest son.
The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life, while law enforcement intensifies efforts to bring those responsible to justice. CMPD encourages anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation.
