The First 48 -

Unlike the series "The First 48" - "For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours" - the murder of Jahlen McDonald took less than 3 hours to charge and book the shooter Thomas Carlee, III.

Jahlen Kewon McDonald

Interesting twist in the Thomas Cartee case the victim Jahlen McDonald was shot at Cartee's address. Seem's Cartee's mother Merissa "Missy" Massey was either sub-letting or allowing McDonald to reside at the residence she shared with her son Thomas Cartee, III and husband Mark Massey.

Thomas Cartee might have had a defense since the victim was clearly intent on inflicting serious bodily harm on the defendant's mother. However the mag dump (read below) was pretty excessive. 

Thomas Cartee, III Photo Courtesy MCSO

And still the vic Jahlen Kewon McDonald who was arrested in April and then was released might still be alive had the courts held him until trial. 

Jahlen Kewon McDonald Photo Courtesy MCSO

Once again incarceration saves lives!

The rest of the back story is just sad. The landlord Ray Thomas and his wife Mitzi filed eviction paperwork on Monday. But the idiot put "1st of each Month" for date rent was due. That's an automatic dismissal, and clearly failing to wait the required 10 days. Obviously as reaction to the shooting.

Cartee's father passed away in 2005, everyone mom, dad, the shooter has priors, and the sad story just goes on and on.....

It will end up as a plea to voluntary homicide and dropping the robbery charge and he gets 10 years plus probation for 2 maybe restitution to cover the vic family's funeral costs.

Officer's report:

On May 31, 2025, at approximately 0011 hours, North Division Officers responded to 9313 Broken Pine Lane in reference to Domestic Violence Assault with Deadly Weapon with Injury call for service. 

CFD and MEDIC 52 responded to the scene and located the victim suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. Medic Abigail Tucker pronounced the victim deceased at 0023 hours. The victim's pockets appeared to have been turned out.

Detectives spoke with the caller, Merissa Massey, who stated that the victim lived with her. They got into an argument in the living room and the victim threw carpet shampooer at her and then threw a baby chair swing at her striking her in the head. She stated that her son Thomas Cartee, III, shot the victim and left.

The defendant returned to the scene with his sister's fiancee, Christopher Hicks. 

The defendant was picked up by Christopher from Harris Teeter Fuel Station located at 3909 Corning Place where the victim's Dodge Charger was later located by Officers. 

Detectives spoke with Christopher who stated the defendant called his fiancee and defendant's sister, Krystona Cartee, and told them that he "fucked up" and had shot Jahlen after he was beating on his mom, Merissa. 

Christopher provided consent for Detectives to search his white Toyota Camry that he transported the defendant in to the scene. Detectives located two cell phones that Christopher stated should be the defendant's and an extended pisto magazine. Detectives observed loose US Currency and stack of US Currency bound with black rubber band.

Detectives spoke with the victim's girlfriend, Ty'Dasia Martin, who stated that the victim and Merissa were arguing. The victim tossed "vacuum" and Ty'Dasia went to use the nearby bathroom. Ty'Dasia started hearing gunshots and looked outside the bathroom. Her child ran to her saying the victim was on the ground. The defendant, Thomas Cartee III, pointed gun in her face and stated "bitch you better not tell." The victim's black Dodge Charger was left running in the driveway prior to the incident and was now missing. The victim had large sum of US Currency that was bound with black rubber band.

Detectives responded to Christopher's residence and collected the stack of US Currency bound with black rubber band seen in the Toyota Camry previously.

Detectives interviewed the defendant at the LEC. The defendant was advised of his Miranda rights and provided statement of what happened. He stated that the victim arrived with food, the victim and his mother got into an argument, and the victim pushed his mother.The victim threw carpet shampooer at his mother and he went to Jahlen's room to get the black M&P 2.0 pistol that Jahlen was holding for him. He came back to the living room and saw the victim throw "car seat" at his mother and hit her in the head. He pulled the gun from his right Waistband fired at the victim approximately 9 or 10 times until the magazine was empty.

He took the victim's Charger and drove around. The keys were in the vehicle. The victim had money in the car. He drove around and called Krystona until she answered and told her and Christopher what had happened. He stated that he threw the firearm in dumpster near restaurant, threw his phones in pond behind the Harris Teeter, threw the car keys, and used some of the victim's money to purchase "blacks" (cigars). He also gave away money to the homeless and other subjects in excess of $200.00.

Detectives are seeking charges for Murder and Robbery with Dangerous Weapon.

Cedar's Take someone needs to start a go-fund me for Massey, Thomas Cartee and even for the family of Jahlen McDonald.