On September 12, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., 56-year-old Kenneth McKinnon was fatally shot near Pinewood Cemetery on West Ninth Street in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Following an investigation, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified 27-year-old Demarques Arnez Carter as a suspect. On September 14, 2023, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team arrested Carter.
He was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Kenneth McKinnon's family, residing in Lumberton, North Carolina, expressed profound grief over his death. His sister, Barbara McLauren, described him as a generous individual who would help others whenever possible. She acknowledged his struggles with substance abuse but emphasized his inherent goodness. The family expressed relief at the arrest and a desire for justice to be served.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed further details. Carter's prior criminal record includes arrests in 2022 for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon. He is currently held in Mecklenburg County Jail without bond.
