Charlotte Police Officer Robert L. Smith Park

The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and CMPD honor our fallen Police Officers in many ways.

One of those is Officer Robert L. Smith - EOW January 15, 1987.

A name and a date many of us were not aware of, from nearly forty years ago.

At the time Charlotte was a far different place. City leadership later felt that naming a park in his honor was a just and right thing to do.

The Richard L Smith Park located at 1604 Little Rock Road is in a growing area of Charlotte known by some as Paw Creek, and the area is rapidly changing.

Due partly to the success of The River District and the nearby White Water Center. Suddenly apartments and new homes are popping up everywhere.

In October of last year Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation announced plans to add "pickleball courts" to the park in addition to the already under construction Paw Creek greenway project.

The artist rendering of the property is awesome.

But notably absent is any explanation of the Park's namesake or the small granite memorial and plaque in his honor located at the head of the parking lot. 

While the memorial is not noted on the site plans or artist's rendering of the improvement project, the "existing restrooms" and nearby play ground equipment however are noted.

The small memorial next the restrooms and picnic pavilion is in good shape, yet it could use a cleaning and the photo placed behind a small plastic cover and all but dissolved.

It is a simple memorial and the inscription below his photo written by a 9 year old is simply wonderful.

MY FRIEND ROBERT

ROBERT A GREAT FRIEND I HAD. 

AND WITHOUT HIM IT IS SO SAD.

WHIEN I HEARD WHAT HAD HAPPENED 

JUST A FEW DAYS AGO 

I KNEW HE STILL HAD A LONG LIFE TO GROW.

IN OUR THOUGHTS HE IS STILL THERE.

SO IN OUT HEARTS WE SHOULD STILL CARE.

ROBERT MADE THIS WORLD SO BRIGHT.

AND WOTHOUT HIM IT IS SUCH A UNHAPPY SIGHT.

BUT JUST THEINK OF IT AS ROBERT GOING AWAY 

AND YOU WILL SEE HIM AGAIN SOMEDAY.

AUTHOR RENEE REIDELL

WITITEN WHEN 9 YEARS OLD

Over the last two weeks CP has reached out to County Commissioners, CMPD, FOP and Park and Recreation staff. 

Asking about the park's construction progress both Park and Rec staff and Meck County Commissioners were quick to respond, but my follow up about the Officer Smith Memorial and photo was met with crickets.

I've offered that I have a duplicate photo and would be more than happy to step up to complete the simple task of replacing the photo.

CMPD Officer Robert L. Smith

Privately I'm told that both City and County elected officials and Park and Rec staff are somewhat bothered by the Park's name and apparently believe that the Fallen Officer Memorial Uptown across for the Law Enforcement center is the most suitable place to remember Officer Robert Smith and others.

While there is no formal action to rename the park or remove the memorial apparently they are concerned that my request to replace the faded photo might offend some members of the public. 

CP has also offered to help with the replacement of the photo covered with plastic with perhaps a stainless steel "etched" photo or even a bronze cast image. 

Thankfully on Thursday morning CP was hearing via the "back channel" CMPD Chief Estella D. Patterson had been made aware of the photo and the repair will be handled.

Additionally CP also heard from Mecklenburg Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell who as also expressed her concern.

Additional Background.

Police Officer Robert Louis Smith was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to a report of a man firing a gun into a condo complex at 0110 hours.

During the search for the suspect Officer Smith located him and shined his flashlight on him. When he did this the suspect opened fire with a rifle, striking Officer Smith four times. Other officers responded to the sound of the gun shots and returned fire, wounding the suspect.

The 32-year-old man was taken into custody and sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years, were he remains today.

Officer Smith had served with the Charlotte Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, mother, sister, and two brothers.

He was off duty when he responded to the call.  

Rest Easy Hero.

Harris Teeter Stabber Charged Denied Bond

Marvina Hardy has now been formally charged in the violent attack of a Charlotte, North Carolina Harris Teeter customer back in March of this year. Thankfully Mecklenburg County District Court Judge Roderick G. Davis denied her bail and so at least for now she will remain behind bars.

Known as the Harris Teeter Stabber Hardy is no stranger to law enforcement she's already spent nearly five years of her life behind bars.  She was last released from prison on April 28, 2025 and terminated from parole on January 23, 2026.

Reading the arrest affidavit it is pretty clear this psycho needs to stay behind bars.  

Photo Courtesy MCSO

Photo Courtesy Flagler County Florida Sheriff's Office 

On 3/18/26 the victim reported that she was attacked by an unknown black female and was stabbed in the chest with knife. 

The victim stated she arrived at the Harris Teeter located at 112 Sharon Amity Road in Charlotte, NC and parked her vehicle. She exited her vehicle and walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle to take her year old son out of the vehicle. 

While she was there, the unknown female approached the victim, calling her "Psycho Bitch," then attempting to stab her approximately 5 times with a knife, stabbing her one time in the chest. The victim stated the suspect got back into her vehicle and drove away. 

The victim stated she was screaming to gain attention for assistance.

The victim stated she is 30 weeks pregnant. The victim was transported to Novant Main due to her injuries. The victim stated she did not know the suspect and had never seen her before.

A witness stated she saw the two females in an altercation and the one female attempting to stab the victim multiple times.

According to video from Harris Teeter the suspect parks in the parking lot at 8:34 am on 3/18/26. She exits her vehicle and walks inside the Harris Teeter. 

                                                  

AI Enhanced Image for Clarity 

She leaves the store and returns to her vehicle at 8:37 am without making any purchases. The victim arrives and parks at 11:16 am. The suspect had remained inside of her vehicle in the parking space from 8:37 am until she backs out of the parking space prior to this incident. 

As the victim exits her vehicle at 11:16 am, the suspect vehicle backs up and pulls behind the victim's vehicle, stopping in the aisle of the parking lot. 

AI Enhanced Image for Clarity

The victim then walked around to the passenger side of her vehicle. 

The suspect stops her vehicle behind the victim's vehicle at 11:16 am. 

The suspect exits her vehicle at 11:17 am and walks towards the victim. 

An altercation occurs and the suspect gets into her vehicle at 11:17 am. The interaction was only 15 seconds. You could see arms swinging by both the suspect and victim. 

As the suspect drives away, the victim shuts the back door to her vehicle from where her son was sitting and goes back around to the driver's side of the vehicle. 

The suspect vehicle turns left out of aisle towards Marshalls and possibly leaves out the exit making right turn onto Sharon Amity Road towards Providence Road.

Upon check of street cameras through RTCC (Real Time Crime Center), the suspect vehicle was located and matched. In these cameras and camera from Harris Teeter showed the suspect vehicle appeared to be Hyundai Sonata. The passenger front hubcap was missing, as well as the rear passenger window was taped up.

Video of the suspect and photos of the vehicle were shared on social media and news outlets.

On 3/27/26 we received information from family member identifying the suspect. James stated that the suspect is Marvina Hardy, and that she is the mother of his grandchildren. He stated he was 100%, no doubt that it was her. 

He stated she lives with her mother in Waxhaw. He stated that days ago, Marvina called her son, Jayvon, and asked him to switch vehicles with her because she got into trouble with her car. He stated her mother is Timothi Ware. He stated that the vehicle she is driving is silver or gray Hyundai Sonata.

Through DMV I was able to locate Marvina Marie Hardy (9/9/85) with an address of 1916 Harrison Park Drive of Waxhaw, NC 28173. I was able to locate Timothi Yvette Lee, also last name Ware (7/24/61) with the same address.

I located two police reports with Waxhaw Police Department in September and November of 2025 where Jayvon Hardy (2/16/06) was associated with silver 2006 Hyundai Sonata (VIN SNPEU46F76H153693). Timothi Lee was also associated with one report.

I compared the suspect photo of the suspect inside Harris Teeter to photo of Marvina Hardy and believe it to be the same person. James named Marvina Hardy as the same person in the photos shared by the news of the suspect inside Harris Teeter. James also stated she drives Hyundai Sonata.

CMPD's Lack of Transparency is Interesting.

Early Tuesday morning local media was reporting of a MVA involving a CMPD Ford Explorer and a four door passenger car, at the intersection of Pineville-Matthews Road and Carmel Road in South Charlotte.

Seemed like a typical late night MVA except it involved a CMPD SUV.

Local news media went on to state that 4 people were taken to the hospital and noted that both vehicles had heavy front end damage. 

News reports on Tuesday morning also stated the there was no word if the Officer involved is one of those injured or the condition of any of those transported.to the hospital.

WSOC Reported the accident as follows:

"Four people were taken to the hospital from a crash involving a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police cruiser in south Charlotte Tuesday morning. It happened just before 3 a.m. at the intersection of Pineville-Matthews Road and Carmel Road. CMPD said everyone involved in the crash was taken to the hospital. According to MEDIC, three of those people have serious injuries."

But later in the day the story changed. Then it was "Two people were injured following two crashes involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police cruisers in south Charlotte early Tuesday, officials said."

The local media when on to say "The first crash happened at the intersection of Carmel Road and Pineville-Matthews Road around 2:30 a.m. According to the incident report, the driver of a stolen vehicle rammed into a CMPD cruiser. Investigators said no one was hurt in this collision. 

(Interesting that the first reports had that four people were injured.)

The local news report continued with: "A short time later, another driver crashed into a CMPD patrol vehicle directing traffic. The officer inside the vehicle was treated and released, according to police. Two people inside the car that crashed into the CMPD cruiser suffered minor injuries in the wreck."

Keep in mind none of this was widely reported or appeared via Atlas One or social media. CMPD's Newsroom Press Releases are also void of any mention of these two accidents.

Now the Charlotte Observer is leading this story with "Details Remain Murky"

So the question is what is going on here? We all had become accustom to Rodney Monroe's shady and murky management style but we thought or at least some of us thought that BS left with his hasty departure in 2015.

So what is up with this?

Concord Triple Murder Facts Scarce (Redux)

This case from 12 years ago gives a good idea why North Carolina's justice system is failing us. Darryl Anderson killed 3 white women in 2014 and received 3 consecutive life sentences.

Yet there are liberals that think his sentence is unjust and far too harsh.

Anderson has nearly a dozen convictions and should not have be out of prison in 2014 but the "fair felons act" gave him a second chance and he was released from prison in 2011.

A year later 2012 he was convicted of child abuse and should have been returned to prison, he wasn't. 

Investigators say Darryl Anderson shot and killed three women in Concord during the Wednesday February 12, 2014 snow storm.

 

Darryl Anderson

Sharon McKenzie Cox

One of the victims Sharon McKenzie Cox age 52 was the mother of Jessica Cox age 25 the estranged girlfriend of Anderson who he also shot and killed.

Jessica Cox Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office

Jessica Cox was shot and killed inside her home at a Concord, North Carolina trailer park. She was the mother of 3 Anderson's children

According to WBTV and other sources Sharon Cox and Jessica Cox shared a trailer next door to one of Sharon's other daughters Veronica Cox. 

Veronica Cox Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office 

Apparently an altercation escalated and Anderson shot and killed Jessica Cox, and then turned his gun on Sharon Cox shooting her once. Sharon Cox, though wounded escaped and fled to her daughter Veronica's home next door.

In 2015 Darryl Angelo Anderson, 37, pleaded guilty in the murder of Sheila Serrano, 45, Sharon Cox, 52, and her daughter, Jessica Cox, 25. 

Darryl Angelo Anderson Photo Courtesy of NC DOC

The triple homicide shook the rural Concord, North Carolina community with a level of rage and violence neighbors say they had never witnessed before. 

Anderson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder of each of the victims. The sentences were boxcar'd to be served consecutively. 

The afternoon of the murders, Anderson shot the women in three different trailers at Cedar Park Estates off Lower Rocky River Road in Concord during the height of a severe winter snowstorm. 

The killings were reportedly the result of a domestic argument. 

Jessica Cox was the daughter of Sharon Cox. Serrano was a neighbor. Jessica Cox left behind three young children, while Serrano left behind a husband and a son 

In a 911 tape, Serrano’s boyfriend told the operator he was in the back of the house and heard Serrano talking to a man. Then he heard gunshots. “He shot through her door and was able to open her door,” he said in the tape. The man said the gunman shot Serrano several times and left on foot. 

EMS personnel arrived to find Serrano lying on the kitchen floor with an apparent gunshot wound. She was later confirmed dead by Cabarrus County EMS units, who rushed to the scene despite snow-covered roads. 

The lone female survivor Veronica Cox told police her mother, Sharon Cox, ran into her bedroom and woke her up, saying she had been shot. 

Veronica ran from the bedroom to the kitchen to get her phone so she could call 911. When she returned to her bedroom, she told police her mother had fallen to the floor, and the gunman was standing over her mother holding a pistol. 

He fired two more shots into Sharon, then aimed the gun at Veronica’s face and said “get out of my way,” 

Anderson fled into the woods but surrendered when police arrived.

Anderson is now 44 and is currently being housed at the Bertie Correctional Institution in close supervision. The 1000 inmates are North Carolina's most violent felons. Violence in a way of life at Bertie those who cope spend their days in single occupant cells they are permitted a one hour exercise period each day and then return to their cells. 

Bertie Correctional Intuition 

Prisoners like Anderson "earn" their way to Bertie by breaking rules and committed acts of violence. The toll drives many to take their own lives.

Jessica Cox and Sharon Cox are buried in Ohio next to Sharon's mother who died in 2009. 

Sadly Veronica Cox died on April 9, 2015 just 2 months after Anderson's sentencing and a day shy of her 26th birthday.  

She was reportedly found at home unresponsive, rushed to CMC Main where she died of an apparent drug overdose. Veronica Cox is buried along side of her mother Sharon and sister Jessica in Ohio.

Darryl Anderson offered no apology at sentencing and has never publicly stated why he killed the women or why he spared Veronica on the fateful day.

Anderson today is held by the North Carolina Department of Corrections at the Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institute. 

                                     

                                                   Darryl Anderson Photo Courtesy NC DOC

He's racked up 25 prison infractions and is apparently far from a model prisoner. But his release from prison under the fair felons act began a chain of crimes that continued for more that a decade and eventually lead up to one of Cabarrus County most horrific crimes.

Mint Hill Woman Claims She Shot Herself Killing Her Baby Husband Arrested

Early Sunday a man and woman got into an argument and she claims she accidently shot herself. Luis Alfonzo Marcano-Marcano is in the Mecklenburg County Jail and his wife who was seven months pregnant is in the hospital. The child she was carrying did not survive the shooting.

Luis Marcano is the subject of an ICE Detainer and Administrative Warrant and will likely be removed from the United States.

LUIS ALFONZO MARCANO-MARCANO Photo Courtesy MCSO

It is not known if his wife Sabrina Campos is a lawful US resident. 

Police have identified Marcano-Marcano as a known member of the Tren de Aragua a violent Venezuela gang.

Here's where it gets crazy. On Monday liberal Mecklenburg County Judge Karen McCallum reduced Marcano's bail from $100,000 to $25,000 bail stating the she was able to determine the Marcano was a lawful resident. She did this despite the court receiving both an ICE Detainer and an Administrative Warrant citing ongoing removal proceedings against the individual and that he "poses risk to national security, border security, or public safety"

According to Court Records that bond was posted Wednesday April, 15th at 11:03 AM. 

As of Wednesday April 15th, 2026 at 15:30 Marcano was still in the custody of the MCSO. 

Meck County Magistrate stated:

SECURE BOND SET BECAUSE OF THE CONDITIONS BASED ON THE DEFENDANT INTRODUCING FIREARM INTO THE

SITUATION AND LIFE WAS LOST AS RESULT. BECAUSE OF THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES THE DEFENDANT IS DANGER

TO THE PUBLIC AND HE ALSO ALLEGEDLY THREW THE WEAPON INTO THE NEARBY WOODS INTERFERING WITH

PENDING INVESTIGATION. MAGISTRATE BELIEVES THAT THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE HELD WITHOUT BOND, HOWEVER, DO NOT HAVE THE STATUTORY ABILITY TO HOLD THE DEFENDANT AT THIS TIME. LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISED THAT THE DEFENDANT HAS PENDING WARRANTS IN VENEZUELA

“Tren de Aragua is a terrorist cartel that exploits our borders to bring murder, drugs, and chaos into American communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department is crushing their leadership, dismantling their networks, and cutting off their money across the United States. There will be no safe haven here. If you cross our border to commit violent crime, we will find you, prosecute you, and put you away.”

While Marcano may actually be in the US lawfully (Green Card, Travel Visa, or Whatever) his known connections to TdeA is an automatic removal. 

Arrest Affidavit:

On April 12th, 2026 at approximately 0300 hours, MHPD was contacted by Novant Mint Hill, who said 7-month pregnant female arrived to the hospital with gunshot wound to the stomach. The hospital staff said her husband dropped her off and left in red Nissan. 

The female was transported to Novant Main Hospital, where the unborn baby had deceased. After speaking with family members, MHPD were notified that Luis Marcano-Marcano was the husband who dropped his wife, Sabrina Campos off at the hospital. 

Det. Matics spoke with Campos at the hospital, and she told him that she accidentally shot herself with pistol at birthday party at her residence. She said she went to put the pistol in her pocket and accidentally pulled the trigger. 

Officers were able to speak with Luis in the lobby of Novant Main, where he was detained. Luis was transported back to the MHPD where he was interviewed. Luis waived his Miranda Rights and advised that they had birthday party for him last night at the residence. 

He stated once everyone left, it was just him and Sabrina on the back porch. He said there was an argument between them two and he retrieved the pistol and admitted to shooting the ground next to her feet. He said he then placed the pistol on the rail of the back porch, and Sabrina then grabbed the pistol and tried to put it in her pocket and pulled the trigger, shooting herself in the stomach. 

Luis then admitted to dropping her off at the hospital and going back to the house to retrieve the pistol, which he threw into the woods at an unknown location. 

Det. Matics went back to the hospital to speak with Campos, who advised Luis did shoot into the ground. She said she went to grab the pistol because Luis had been drinking and did not want him to get in trouble for shooting more and when she grabbed it to put it in her pocket, she pulled the trigger, subsequently killing her month old unborn baby. 

***Luis Marcano-Marcano is known member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) ***

Cedar Update:

On Thursday April, 16, 2026 Luis Marcano was transferred to the custody of DHS/ICE and taken to one of dozens of holding centers to be returned to his home country. 

Charlotte "SheBoon" Arrested Again

Tanaezah Michelle Austin the crazed black woman who last month tried to kill a CMPD Officer was arrested this past Thursday for again trying to kill someone with the car she was driving.

Tanaezah Michelle Austin Age 25 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Back on March 1st she was arrested after she deliberately hit a CMPD Officer with her car. She was later arrested and released on a $3,000 secured bond by Magistrate Michelle Williams-McNair.

Then on Thursday April 2, 2026 she tried to kill her ex-boyfriend with her car and was again arrested. And again she was given a minimal bond that posted and was released. This time the bond was set at $10,000 secured by Magistrate Felicia Wilson.

Neither Magistrate restricted her right to operate a motor vehicle. 

Tanaezah Michelle Austin Age 25 Photo Courtesy MCSO

(Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.2, assaulting a government officer, company police officer, or campus police officer with a firearm or other deadly weapon while they are performing their duties is a Class E felony. This statute applies unless other laws provide for greater punishment, such as cases involving serious injury or intent to kill. Having been found guilty the defendant could face 10-48 months of incarceration depends on prior record. )

CMPD Arrest Affidavit:

On March 1st, 2026, at approximately 0325 hours, Officers responded to traffic control call for service in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter located at 4701 Smith Farm Road (20260301032502). 

Call comments advised that several vehicles were doing donuts in the parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers encountered street takeover and attempted to get the vehicles to leave the parking lot. During this time, Officers Dubuc (#7719) and Hatoff (#7734) attempted to get out with several of the vehicles and participants in the street takeover event. 

Officer Hatoff was out of his vehicle and approached black Kia Optima (NC LKJ8903) as it was attempting to leave the parking lot. 

The driver stopped the vehicle, and Officer Hatoff began to walk in front of the vehicle to approach it from the driver's side. As he walked in front of the vehicle, the driver then began to accelerate rapidly and struck Officer Hatoff causing him to roll over the hood of the vehicle. 

It is important to note, Officer Hatoff was in his CMPD uniform and was giving the driver verbal commands to stop prior to being stuck by the vehicle. Officer Hatoff was standing directly in front of the vehicle prior to being struck and could be clearly seen by the driver.

Officer Hatoff was then able to call out the vehicle's tag as it was driving out of the parking lot.

Based on the vehicle's tag, Officer Hatoff was able to positively identify the registered owner as the driver of the vehicle.

Officer Hatoff was transported to the hospital for his injuries.

Typical for these types of offenders Austin has been evicted from 3 different apartment complexes in the last five years. 

Hideaway at Kings Park, L&E Properties and University Village at Charlotte.

Second CMPD Arrest Affidavit:

On April 2nd, 2026, at approximately 2100 hours. Officers responded to 2670 Dr Carver Road in reference to an Assault with Deadly Weapons call for service.

Upon arrival Officers met with the victim Alonzo Harris. The victim stated that the suspect Tanaezgah Austin and himself were both arguing inside of her residence.

At this time after brief disagreement and argument, the victim decided to pack his bags and leave the residence to leave the area.

As the victim was leaving the area, the suspect entered her vehicle red in color Jeep Patriot and began to drive towards the victim and attempt to strike him. 

As the suspect attempted to strike the victim, she ran over the victim's foot leaving visible, but minor injuries to the victim's foot and damaging his shoe.

Officer on scene saw several tire thread impressions left on the dirt area where the victim stated he was standing when the suspect attempted to run him over.

The same tire thread impressions left on the ground, were the same tire thread that were on the red: in color Jeep Patriot.

In addition, Officers saw the suspect sitting inside of her vehicle, the same vehicle description given by the victim. The vehicle was on and running when Officers approached the suspect.

The suspect's story about the incident contained multiple inconsistencies and lacked credibility due to her vague statements.

This concludes my narrative.

Suspect has been cooperative with Officers.

The victim and defendant used to be in dating relationship until today. Officers are seeking the following charges. 

MISD ADW

MISD GRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Cedar's Take:

Everyone has seen the video of CMPD Officer Hatoff and his skilled exit off the hood of the Sheboon's car. Props to him for his wide receiver skills in avoiding the tackle. If restraint is the better part of valor the new Chief should award this Officer promptly. 

However the $3,000 bond is insane. The second arrest should have revoked the first bond and the defendant should have been locked up. Period. 

Yet she does it again injuring another person and the magistrate turns her loose again? This is not why we agree to live in a civil society. This is not why we collectively pay taxes. Her bond should have been at a minimum $20,000 on the first arrest and $200,000 on the second.

South Charlotte Murder Suspects Pled Guilty Get Less Than 10 years Average

According to a local media reports Thursday was the end of a year and a half wait for justice in the murder of Zackary Rieken.

Zackary Rieken Age 18 Photo Courtesy Gun Violence Memorial

The 18 year old was murdered in South Charlotte near the Blakeney Shopping Center off of Rea Road in an area that was once considered void of violent crime.

On the fifth floor of the Mecklenburg County courthouse, family members filled a room on Thursday as three young men pled guilty to a teenager’s murder from eighteen months earlier.

Zackary Rieken was shot on Oct. 26, 2024 in south Charlotte during what prosecutors say was a marijuana deal that turned into a deadly robbery.

In doorbell camera video of the murder, a gunshot is heard before the car Rieken is driving crashes. Four people are seen running and get into a car that leaves the scene; Rieken was pronounced dead of a single gunshot wound.

“He mattered,” his mother told Judge Carla Archie through tears. “His life mattered. He was just 18.”

The three men charged in his murder were teenagers at the time, prosecutors said Sanjie Johnson, then 18, pulled the trigger; he pled guilty to 2nd-degree murder and was sentenced to a minimum of 13 years.

Sanjie Johnson Photo Courtesy MCSO 

Jeremiah Childers, then 17, helped set up the deal, prosecutors said. He also pled guilty to 2nd-degree murder and got a minimum of about 10.5 years.

Jeremiah Childers Photo Courtesy MCSO 

Prosecutors said Maximillian Ruggiero, 18, both helped set up the deal and drove the getaway car.

Maximillian Ruggiero Photo Courtesy MCSO

“I am going to urge you that for the rest of your days on this planet you find a way to honor the life that you helped take,” Judge Archie told Ruggiero. “Because you knew him.”

Maximillian Ruggiero pled guilty to a lesser charge, and a shorter minimum sentence: 5.5 years.

“I have very little anger for these boys, and that’s what they are: boys in men’s bodies,” Zackary’s father said in court. “The sentence we’re talking about here, 5 years? It’s not justice. It’s mercy."

(CP Note: Ruggiero and the others will get credit for the 16 months they have already spent in jail. Meaning Ruggiero will be back on the streets in a little more than 3 years.)

Childer’s mother was also in court and spoke publicly to the judge, expressing her sorrow to Zackary’s family.

“A lot of lives have been lost today,” she said.

But she said she had unanswered questions about her son’s sentence compared to Ruggiero’s -- as well as why only three people, of the four people seen on camera getting into the getaway car, were ultimately charged in the case.

“My son does take accountability and is responsible for being there,” she said. “But I just think it is sad that Zackary had to lose his life due to all this, and that everybody that was involved is not being charged.”

(CP Note: The thug who wasn't charged is the one who cooperated with CMPD and ID'd the others. His name has been redacted from the court records. His statement to police was he didn't know the others were going to rob Rieken. He is the cooperating witness)

Zackary was killed just four months after he graduated high school, his mother said. She described him as full of life, loving music and laughter.

“The truth is I don’t know how to do life without my son. Even the simplest question, ‘How many children do you have?’ now takes the wind out of me.”

Cedar's Take: Childer's mother is an idiot. They each should have been given life sentences. Even a second degree murder charge carries a penalty of 40 years. Her POS Spawn will be out in 9 years. She should be on her knees thanking a liberal judge and a spineless DA who allowed him to pled to just two charges. 

Every one of these POS will be back on the streets before Rieken would have turned 30 and celebrated is second child's 1st Easter. All Carla Archie's sentence does is tell thugs in Charlotte you can kill someone and "if you get caught" your time is easy. 

CMPD Charging Affidavit:

1.) On Friday, October 25, 2024, at 2352 hours, South Division officers responded to 12803 James Blakeney Avenue for an Accident with Personal Injury,

in which vehicle crashed into tree. Officers arrived on. scene, and Medic was on scene treating the victim. Medic found that the victim was suffering from gunshot wound

to his left shoulder. The victim, Zackary Evan Rieken (Zackary) (w/M 04/07/2006), was pronounced deceased on scene by Medic 64, Medic Tyler Mitchell, at 0005 hours.

2.) Detectives are conducting Murder investigation in violation of N.C.G.S. 417 under CMPD Report 20241025-2352-05.

3.) Detectives spoke with witness, who provided video surveillance from nearby residence. The video footage shows the victim' vehicle, white Jeep Wrangler with NC License Plate TKI5474, parked along James Blakeney Avenue. 

Five suspects are seen in the video footage. Three of the five suspects approach the victim's driver's side window. One of the suspects that approaches the victim' vehicles white male wearing red hoodie, light colored undershirt, and black shorts. Shortly after, suspect in all black clothing and white shoes, fires single gunshot into the victim's vehicle, which is in motion. 

The suspects then run back to a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, which has sunroof and silver roof rack; and flee the scene.

4.) Detectives identified juvenile J.C. (J.C.) (17) and charged him with First Degree Murder and Discharging Barreled Weapon or Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling or Occupied Conveyance in Operation. The suspect was in possession of blue iPhone at the time of his arrest. 

The phone was submitted, and forensic analysis was obtained on the phone. Detectives reviewed the phone analysis and found text messages leading up to, and just prior to the murder, between J.C. and the victim, arranging drug transaction. Detectives found text message from J.C. to another subject stating he was "Waitin to rob the Plug", shortly before the murder.

5.) Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as white, 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350, with NC license plate

LCB1898, and VIN: 4JGDA5JB8DA258385. On 10/29/2024, detectives found the vehicle parked in front of 10012 Juniper Trace Drive, Charlotte, NC 28277. 

Detectives spoke with cooperating witness, who was present during the time of the offense. The witness stated that he knew the victim to sell marijuana, and he provided JC with the victim's information, because JC wanted to purchase marijuana from the victim. The witness stated that was in communication with the victim leading up to the murder. 

The witness stated that another male who he knew by the name of "Jay Banz", and another witness approached the victim's vehicle at the time of the murder. The witness stated that "Jay Banz" was in possession of firearm at the time.

6.) Detectives obtained surveillance video of witness, co-defendant, and "Jay Banz", and the suspect vehicle, just prior to the murder taking pictures in front of the suspect vehicle with firearm. On Thursday, October 31, 2024, detectives spoke with witness, who was present during the time of the offense. 

The witness identified "Jay Banz" as the one who shot the victim.

7.) Detectives identified Sanjie Johnson (B/M, 04/08/2006) as "Jay Banz".

8.) Based on the facts obtained during the investigation, there is probable cause that First Degree Murder and Discharging Barreled Weapon or Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling or Occupied Conveyance in Operation occurred and Sanjie Johnson (B/M, 04/08/2006) committed these offenses.

Sanjie Johnson

1. SECOND DEGREE MURDER

Superior Guilty - Judge

2. DIS WEAP OCC DWELL/MOVING VEH

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

3. ATT ROBBERY-DANGEROUS WEAPON

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

4. CONSP ROBBERY DANGRS WEAPON

Superior Guilty - Judge

Jeremiah Childers

1. SECOND DEGREE MURDER

Superior Guilty - Judge

2. CONSP ROBBERY DANGRS WEAPON

Superior Guilty - Judge

Maximillian Ruggiero

1. FIRST DEGREE MURDER

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

2. ROBBERY WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

3. CONSP ROBBERY DANGRS WEAPON

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

4. DIS WEAP OCC DWELL/MOVING VEH

VD-Superior Dismissals w/o Leave by DA - Per Plea Agreement

5. ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT TO 2ND DEGREE MURDER (B2)

Superior Guilty - Judge