Freedom Drive Homicide Usual Suspect Usual Victim

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit began conducting a homicide investigation in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive in the Metro Division Saturday evening.

According to police, on Saturday, February 8, shortly before 6:00 p.m., officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon with injury call for service in the 3400 block of Freedom Drive. 

The male victim left the scene in a private vehicle before officers arrived. He was brought to Atrium Health Mercy with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital.

Des'mon Ra'shad Thompson, 34 Photo Courtesy MCSO

CP has determined that victim was Des'mon Ra'shad Thompson, 34 of Statesville, North Carolina.

According to court records Charlotte Mecklenburg Police have charged Gregory Deddeh Dowana, 29 with the murder of Thompson on Saturday February 8, 2025.

Note CMPD has not released these details at this time.

Gregory Deddeh Dowana, 29 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Dowana has a laundry list of additional cases for violent offenses that have recently been dismissed. He also has a pending protective order violation and an arrest for communication of threats. 

A review of his arrest record shows countless serious traffic offenses. Each case more serious that the prior case.  

I'll say it again - incarceration saves lives.

According to local television news CMPD Major JD Thomas shared initial details during a late night news briefing. Thomas said officers were called to the shootout scene just before 6 p.m. They arrived and learned a man who had been wounded was taken to a hospital, but died there.

Thomas said the shootout began as a verbal argument between two men about an ongoing domestic violence case involving a woman. The argument then escalated to pepper spray being used before the men took aim at each other.

Thomas said the suspect remained on the scene and is cooperating with police. 

Thomas said domestic violence cases can turn deadly when arguments persist after the end of a relationship.

"When a relationship is over, it's over," he said.

Cedar's Take:

The issue of violence within the African American Community is complex and troubling. Generations of violent homes and upbringing have created a society of violence.

The African American Community is a culture of violence embracing criminality and gun play as a way of life.

Yes not all people who are African American are violent, I personally have enjoyed a lifetime of friendships with family friends and acquaintances who do not fit this stereotype. Sadly they are indeed the exception rather than the rule. 

This is the sort of violence that took the life of Mr. Thompson and so many others,and it could be avoided by isolation of those who show a propensity towards violence for whatever reason. Incarceration saves lives.