On December 3, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a reported shooting in the 7100 block of Snow Lane, an area in east Charlotte known for previous incidents of violence. Upon arrival, they discovered 64-year-old Rickie Burris suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite prompt medical attention, Burris was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following a thorough investigation, detectives identified 43-year-old Matthew Cornelius Whitstyne as the primary suspect in Burris's death. On December 26, 2023, Whitstyne surrendered to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. He was subsequently charged with murder and is currently being held without bond.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed the nature of the relationship, if any, between Burris and Whitstyne. CMPD continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident and urges anyone with additional information to contact their Crime Stoppers line.
