Incarceration Saves Lives

Last year on April 10, 2025, Jeremiah Lee Cunningham age 21 was released from the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. He had been held since his arrest on domestic violence charges on March 8, 2025.

Less than 2 hours after his release he was gunned down in the middle of the afternoon in an apartment parking lot at 7128 Wallace Road in southeast Charlotte. 

                                   

Life in Charlotte's Independence Division is cheap as the judge who reduced Cunningham's bail signed his death warrant. 

But the madness doesn't stop there.

CMPD Officers responded to the crime scene last year and quickly made an arrest.

Now a little more than a year later the 21 year old's killer Jamykel Blackmon is back on Charlotte's streets.

The charges against the aledged killer Blackmon have been dismissed.

But it doesn't stop there, the Mecklenburg County DA also dismissed the 2022 arrest for hit and run as was the charge of reckless driving to endanger.

Also unrelated to the shooting death of Cunningham. Additional charges brought against Blackmon for discharging a weapon inside city limits 2 counts of Carrying a Concealed Gun, were also dismissed.

More about the murder and the DA's reasoning for the dismissal below.

CMPD Affidavit:

On April 10 2025, at 1219 hours, Independence Division Officers responded to an assault with deadly weapon with injury call for service at 7128 Wallace Road. 

The 911 caller advised that they heard to gunshots and could see male lying on the ground. Upon arrival, Officers located the victim, Jeremiah Lee Cunningham (B/M, 03/05/2004), with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased by Medic Smith at 1230 hours. 

Detectives processed the scene, which was the parking lot at 7128 Wallace Road. Detectives located discharged cartridge cases and found that the victim was on CMPD Electronic Monitoring. The victim was released from jail, placed on the monitor, and arrived at the location. 

Detectives spoke with Citizen 1, who was identified, that stated that they were in the parking lot when the incident occurred. Citizen stated that they heard the gunshots and saw a young B/M wearing black skull cap holding firearm.

Detectives spoke with Citizen 2, who was identified, that stated the description provided by Citizen was that of an individual that lived in 7128 Wallace Road, Apartment F, which is on the second floor of the building.

Citizen is familiar with the residents in 7128 Wallace Road. Citizen explained that this individual is the oldest son of the leaseholder and prior to the murder, Citizen saw this individual wearing black and red beanie.

Detectives spoke with Citizen 3, who was identified, that stated that after the shooting they heard someone run up the stairs to the second floor.

Detectives reviewed the victim's history and found that his home address while on CMPD Electronic Monitoring Wallace Road, Apartment F.  The victim was arrested at this address on 3/8/2025. Detectives

reviewed the BWC from that arrest and found that officers spoke to an individual that was wearing black and red beanie. That individual identified themselves as Jamykel Blackmon.

Detectives researched the leaseholder for 7128 Wallace Road, Apartment F. Birth records show that Jamykel Blackmon (B/M, 7/12/2005)is the oldest son of the leaseholder. Additionally, Jamykel Blackmon has outstanding OFAs which list his home address was 7128 Wallace Road, Apartment F. 

Detectives received a Crime Stoppers Tips regarding this investigation. One tip explained that the shooter was the son of the leaseholder for 7128 Wallace Road, Apartment F. The second tip provided his name and an a arrest photograph for Blackmon.

Based upon the facts, detectives are seeking the charge of First Degree Murder on Jamykel Blackmon.

                    

Mecklenburg DA's decision to dismiss the charge of murder.

On April 10, 2025, Jeremiah Cunningham was fatally shot and killed in the Wallace Wood Apartments parking lot soon after 12:00 PM. Police were called by apartment residents who did not report witnessing the actual shooting, but heard gunshots. The apartment complex did not have any working surveillance cameras at the time.

Police spoke with multiple witnesses. Many witnesses only reported hearing shots and seeing group of people run away from where the victim was ultimately located. One witness reported being outside with that group, but told police she did not see who shot Mr. Cunningham. 

Another witness, a cab driver, initially told police she didn't see anything and then later reported being witness to the shooting. 

In later statements, this witness reported seeing young black man run away from the shooting scene holding firearm. She was able to give basic clothing description. This witness told police this man she saw holding gun helped her with clothing earlier in the day and that her daughter said that man who helped with clothing was man who lived in apartment in building 7128. 

However, when the cab driver was shown picture of the defendant, she stated she did not recognize him. Police confirmed the defendant lived in Apt. through housing authority and birth records.

Police searched Apt. and were not able to locate a firearm. At least one other black man lived in the apartment at the time of the murder and search, Defendant did make statement on recorded jail call that he shot Mr. Cunningham in self-defense. 

Without the defendant's statement on recorded jail call, the State could not prove beyond reasonable doubt his identity as the perpetrator of the murder of Jeremiah Cunningham. 

If the State were to admit the defendant's jail call at trial,

it would then require the jury be instructed on the law of self-defense. 

At trial of this matter, the State would have the burden of proving beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense. 

No witness to the shooting or events leading up to the shooting has been located and, based upon the other available witness statements, the State at this time cannot disprove the defendant's claim of self-defense in this shooting.

Based on the foregoing, the State does not have reasonable likelihood of success at trial and cannot meet its burden of proving the defendant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of this offense.

Manchette Attacker Kills 5 Year-Old Son

Jehaaz-Akil Kaliq Echoles was charged on July 9, 2026 with murder by Pineville, North Carolina Police Officers.

 Jehaaz-Akil Echoles Photo Courtesy MCSO

He was out on bail on a previous DV charges from earlier this year.

The details are disturbing. Just after midnight a woman identified as Shakira Schenck, total Pineville Police that the father of her child, (Jehaaz-Akil Echoles age 5), broke her front door down and forced entry into her residence. (Jehaaz-Akil does not live at the residence). He then entered his sons room and shut the door. She stated she heard commotion and when she opened the door, Jehaaz-Akil fled from the room and out of the apartment. She observed that her son was bleeding and was unresponsive. The boy was transported to Atrium Health Pineville, where he was pronounced deceased. The wounds on the victim appear to have been done using some type of edged weapon. He had multiple wounds to his neck, head, and arms. With the assistance of CMPD, Jehaaz-Akil was located at a Taco Bell in Pineville and was he was taken into custody and transported to the Pineville Police Department. He requested an attorney and did not speak with officers.

According to sources Echoles forced his way into the former girl friend's apartment a with the intent of attacking the child. His weapon some sort of manchette. When Pineville Officers arrived the mother was standing in the parking lot holding the 5 year old. Police did not wait for Medic and elected to take the child to Atrium Pineville in their unit. The child did not survive.

Echoles has a history of violence with a prior conviction and 2 recent attacks on two other women from earlier in 2026 as well as an arrest Assault in Gaston County. While he was given a $5,000 bond in the most recent case it was processed through Pre-Trial Release and thereby unsecured. This was agreed to by the Meck DA's Office.

But now the DA's opinion of Echoles has changed:

"According to the district attorney defendant has pending offenses for domestic violence and one prior conviction of assault on female. The facts of the case are significantly disturbing. Defendant is presumed to be held on no bond due to the nature of the offense. Defendant is significant risk to the community. Defendant is significant danger and shall be held without bond. The presumption has not been overcome." Meck County Deputy Clerk of Superior Court for Judge Jonathan Rex Marvel

Cedar's Take:

Somewhere beyond the second or third arrest within 3 years the courts need to accept the pattern and stop releasing violent suspects. This clown had a history of violence attacking 2 other women over the last 3 months. Incarceration saves lives.

Positive News - Charlotte Police Officer Robert L. Smith Park

The good folks at Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation have delivered on their promise to repair the Officer Robert L. Smith Memorial at the county's Robert L. Smith Park located at 1604 Little Rock Road.

The monument had been damaged a couple years ago during the George Floyd Protests and sadly no one noticed. Thank you to the following: Chris Hunter - Superintendent Park and Recreation Susan Rodriguez-McDowell - Mecklenburg County Commissioner Dan Redford - Charlotte FOP Lodge 9 President Everyone who reposted, commented and liked the original post on "X" and here on Cedar Post's Meckburbia.

Officer Robert Louis Smith E.O.W. January 15, 1987

"Rest easy brother, we have the watch."

The original post is here: Charlotte Police Officer Robert L. Smith Park

Black Rage The Fatigue Is Real

Facts have been slow to be released in the Taylor Sylver murder that Adaysia Yahel Coles is now charged with.

According to CMPD on May 21, 2026, just after 2 a.m. Officers responded to North Davidson Street in reference to an ADW call for service. 

Upon arrival, they located the victim, Taylor Sylver (DOB: 10/26/1987) with an apparent gunshot wound. 

Taylor Sylver

The victim was transported to Atrium Main where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. 

Detectives spoke with witnesses at the scene who advised that the victim and defendant had gotten into physical altercation after leaving a bar at 3205 North Davidson Street.

3205 North Davidson Street NoDa 101 Bar

The parties separated and walked to their respective vehicles. While the victim was at her vehicle, the defendant drove up beside her and shot her once at close range. 

The witnesses told police that the driver of the car was the shooter and recognized her from the previous altercation.

Detectives went to the bar located at 3205 N. Davidson Street and obtained surveillance footage. They also obtained time stamped list of everyone who entered the bar. 

The defendant is on video having her ID card. The photo on the ID matched the defendant in the video. 

The defendant also has registered 2021 Honda Accord that matches the vehicle in the surveillance video.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Murder on the suspect, Adaysia Coles (DOB: 7/26/1999). On May 21, 2026, Coles was arrested in Bessemer, Alabama.

Adaysia Yahel Coles Photo Courtesy Jefferson County Alabama Jail

After the arrest, detectives spoke with a witness who is known to law enforcement who advised that Coles told them about the shooting and said the firearm that she used was inside the apartment located at 8505 Dahlia Drive #208, Charlotte NC 28213. 

Detectives reviewed traffic cameras and were able to follow Coles vehicle after the shooting to the area of Old Concord Road near East W T Harris Blvd. The apartment on Dahlia Drive is in close proximity to that intersection, and detectives believe that Coles went straight from the shooting scene to that apartment.

CMPD Detectives obtained a search warrant based upon the facts and circumstances, and offered that there was probable cause that a murder occurred, and that evidence of that murder would be contained within 8505 Dahlia Drive Apartment 208, Charlotte NC 28213.

At that location the following items were seized: 

Box Federal 9mm Luger Ammo 

Blue holster 

Ruger 9mm Serial# 46244077 

Black loaded magazine

Live round Federal 9mm Luger Ammo

Coles is now in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center being held without bond. 

Cedar's Take:

I'm not sure how it started or how to fix it, but the truth is the African American community has become a culture of violence, embracing criminality and gun play. Shooting another person is now an accepted way of life within the Black Community.

"Busting a Cap Up Side You Head" is apparently the normal response to bumping into someone while exiting a bar in NoDa at closing time.

But Black culture and violence is nothing new. 

In 1992 "Ice-T" (Tracy Lauren Marrow) released “Cop Killer” as the last track on Body Count’s self-titled debut LP. In it, the protagonist takes matters of perceived police brutality into his own hands by fighting fire with fire: killing police officers.

The song came about during a band rehearsal when Ice-T was singing the Talking Heads song “Psycho Killer” and original drummer Beatmaster V suggested writing about getting revenge for police brutality.

The lyrics sparked outrage:

I got my black shirt on

I got my black gloves on

I got my ski mask on

This shit's been too long

I got my twelve gauge sawed off

I got my headlights turned off

I'm 'bout to bust some shots off

I'm 'bout to dust some cops off

Marrow would go on to other things and move beyond rap. 

Ice-T's best and most iconic TV role is his legendary portrayal of Detective/Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Joining the show in 2000 during its second season, he has become one of the longest-running and most respected characters in television history.

(Now Mike Post's Love and Order theme song including the dun dum is playing in your head, sorry.)

But when did it become normal for Black women to shoot each other over just words?  When did African Americans decide it's ok lose self-control and riot on cruise ships, Five Guys or Walmarts? Why have "teens" decided running wild in the streets is acceptable way to spend Saturday night?

From all reports Coles and Sylver did not know each other. Was Coles' life so bad that she just tossed it all away over some perceived disrespect? Or is this a much deeper social issue within Black America?

Why Are Meck Judges and the Meck DA Dismissing Charges Against Dangerous Felons?

Officer involved shooting shuts down Charlotte’s North Tryon Street on Saturday.

CMPD says the Suspect Jarod Lewis Starks has been charged with:

Felony Assault with a Firearm on a Government Official

Possession of a Firearm by Felon

Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle

Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill (3 Counts)

Attempted Armed Robbery

Going Armed to the Terror of the public

Starks Photo Courtesy MCSO

But here is were things get interesting. Starks was just released from jail four days ago on Auto Theft and Possession of a Stolen Auto charges. The apparent reason was Starks was released is that Judge RODERICK GLENN DAVIS dismissed the charges on June 3rd.

Starks was released June 16th after the Meck DA refused to recharge Starks on the auto theft. 

Seems Starks stole a Black Honda Civic on May 12, 0226 around 2:30 a.m. Later that day a License Plate Reader picked up the car on Idlewild Road around 8:00 p.m.

CMPD Officers made a traffic stop on the stolen car and determined that the driver was Starks who was wearing the same clothes as the suspect a the video seen leaving with the stolen car from the victim's driveway in the early morning hours, that same day.

Mr. Starks guilt is further implicated in that he was on parole and had an electronic monitor that was active and placed him at the victim's home at 2:30 a.m.

Less than a month later the charges are dropped and Starks is once again released from jail.

We don't know why the the judge dismissed the charges against Mr. Starks or if the Meck County DA dropped the charges his reasoning for that. 

Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather

We do know Starks was paroled on February 1, 2026 after serving 7 years and 3 months in prison.

CMPD Affidavit:

On June 20th, 2026, Victim was operating his gray 2015 Nissan Rogue on the 2300 block of Tryon Street when a black male wearing white shirt, beige pants, with black firearm pointed the firearm at the victim and confronted him asking him for his car. 

The victim feared for his life and sped off. As he sped off, he observed the suspect point the firearm at his car and fire at least one round.

Shortly after, a Victim was pulling out of the parking lot of 2310 Tryon Street in his 2010 Chrysler Sebring when he observed the same black male walking towards his car, point firearm at his car, and fire. 

The Sebring was struck once in the left rear tire. Victim was in the passenger seat of the vehicle when this occurred.

Victim called 911 and an officer responded. Upon arrival of the officer, the Victim observed the suspect approaching with his arms folded and pointed him out to the officer. The officer confronted the suspect. 

As the officer gave verbal commands to the suspect, the suspect unfolded his arms revealing firearm and pointed it at the officer. The officer discharged his firearm towards the suspect which caused him to then flee.

The suspect fled and hid in nearby building prior to surrendering. 

Upon search of the building, officers located black Ruger .380 in the building. Additionally .380 casings were located on the scene where the suspect was observed shooting.

Detectives spoke with witnesses who observed the suspect walking on the sidewalk and shooting into traffic multiple times. The witnesses feared for their lives and took shelter in a nearby building.

Starks, is a convicted felon in the state of North Carolina. On November 11, 2018, Starks was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Class Felony with maximum punishment of 88 months. Starks pled guilty on August 12, 2020 in Mecklenburg County Superior Court and was sentenced to 87 to 117 months.

Cedar's Take

We don't know why the the judge dismissed the charges against Mr. Starks or if the Meck County DA dropped the charges or his reasoning for that. 

Mecklenburg County Judge Roderick Glenn Davis

We do know Starks was paroled on February 1, 2026 after serving  7 years and 3 months in prison.

Saturday's shooting could have ended tragically.

Meck Co DA Merriweather and Judge have some explaining to do. Thankfully we aren't making plans to attend the funeral of a CMPD Officer or some innocent bystander.

Meck County Judge Says Black Lives Matter (Not so Much)

Last month Emanuel Isaac Parada now age 22 was sentenced to prison for the 2023 murder of Ja’Kez Kyiesh Johnson.

Emanuel Isaac Parada Photo Courtesy MCSO 

3 years ago Parada shot Johnson several times. Ja’Kez Kyiesh Johnson was taken to the hospital and a few days later died. 

According to CMPD:

On Saturday, July 8, 2023, shortly before 5:00 p.m., officers responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call for service in the 5000 block of Curtiswood Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds.  MEDIC transported the victim to Atrium Health Main with life threatening injuries..

Ja’Kez Kyiesh Johnson age 19

On Thursday, July 13, 2023, the CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) arrested a 15-year-old juvenile suspect and Emanuel Isaac Parada (DOB: 11/30/2003). 

Parada, who was 19 at the time, was also charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm. At the time he killed Johnson, he had just been convicted on weapons charges and sentenced to probation and community service.

Last month, Parada pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case with a plea deal that would not only drop the first degree murder charge but also the drug and weapons charges. 

Parada was sentenced to 157-201 months in prison and ordered to pay on May 14, 2026 by Mecklenburg Superior Court Judge William T. Stetzer. 

The sentence calls for 157-205 months, but basically that means 13 years less his time served he'll be eligible for release on parole in less than 4 years. 

Cedar's Take:

If you're black or if your child is black judges like Stetzer and DA's like Merriweather place little on black lives. About $10,000 the amount of restitution order to be paid by the killer to help the family with funeral costs.  

Life is cheap in Charloot Murderburg. Real Cheap.

Real Cheap. 

Nearly six years after 22 year old Andre Boyd was shot and killed at a north Charlotte apartment complex, his killer took a plea deal that could lead to his release in less than 2 years.

Curtis Beatty Photo Courtesy MCSO

Liberal Judge CARLA N. ARCHIE agreed to the Meck DA's plea deal where Curtis Beatty was allowed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of Voluntary Manslaughter and the charges of ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON and CONSPIRACY TO COMMITT ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON were also dropped. Mecklenburg County Court Record is here.

According to CMPD investigators Beatty shot Andre Boyd seven times.

According to local media, the judge, Carla Archie, "spoke sternly to Beatty" before sentencing him to prison.

“You have a debt to pay, and no amount of time that I sentence you to is going to pay that debt,” said Chief Superior Court Judge Carla Archie.

"Archie told Beatty that debt is paid by what he gives back to this community when he gets out of prison."

That same judge found that there were aggravating factors including that Beatty was already on probation and that his actions put other people at risk. She found no mitigating factors. But that wasn't enough for her to protect Charlotte's citizens with a maximum prison sentence.

What the judge didn't address was the other 35 charges that were dismissed over the past 6 years. The DA apparently dismissed those charges because of the pending First Degree Murder Charge.