On July 8, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 5000 block of Curtiswood Drive, located in Charlotte's North Tryon Division. Upon arrival, they discovered 19-year-old Ja’Kez Kyiesh Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel transported Johnson to Atrium Health Main with life-threatening injuries.
Despite medical efforts, Johnson succumbed to his injuries on July 10, 2023.
In the days following the incident, CMPD's Homicide Unit conducted an intensive investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. On July 13, 2023, detectives identified two suspects: 19-year-old Emanuel Isaac Parada and a 15-year-old juvenile. Both individuals were apprehended by CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and transported to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown Charlotte for questioning. Subsequently, both suspects were charged with murder. Parada was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, while the juvenile was placed in a Juvenile Detention Center.
The arrests brought a measure of progress to the case; however, the investigation remained active and ongoing. CMPD continued to encourage anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in resolving such cases. The department provided contact information for the Homicide Unit and Crime Stoppers to facilitate anonymous tips.
The tragic death of Ja’Kez Kyiesh Johnson underscored the pervasive issue of gun violence affecting Charlotte's youth. The involvement of teenagers as both victim and suspects highlighted the critical need for community engagement and preventive measures to address the root causes of such violence. CMPD's swift action in apprehending the suspects demonstrated their commitment to seeking justice for victims and maintaining public safety.
