Date Night Death Night In Charloot

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 700 block of Lawton Road in the Freedom Division.

On Sunday, February 15, shortly after 6 a.m., officers responded to a Check the Welfare call for service in the 700 block of Lawton Road.

Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim who had sustained apparent trauma. MEDIC pronounced the victim deceased on scene. According to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police (CMPD) Tabulon Debreshea Reece, 33 was murdered sometime early on Monday morning before 6:06 am.

Within 24 hours CMPD Officer were able to identify the killer is Nicholas Jordan Gandy, 37.

Nicholas Jordan Gandy, 37 4:37 am 2/16/2026 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Gandy was taken in to police custody at 4:35 am on Sunday February 15, 2026 charged with second degree trespassing in an unrelated matter and released on an "unsecured" $500 bond at 7:37 am.

Released thinking he had gotten away with murder.

But the victim had posted a video to snapchat at midnight dressed in the same clothes she was found in on the side of the road and Gandy is seen in the video.

So apparently sometime between midnight and 4:35 am Sunday Gandy decided he was going to end the relationship. Shot Reece and dumped her body onto Lawton Road. 

Then he drove to Old Dowd Road where he was arrested by CMPD on the unrelated matter. CMPD Officers it seems didn't notice the pool of blood in the passenger area of his car. 

He was apparently arrested, charged and released while CMPD Officers were conducting a crime scene investigation just a few miles away.

Nicholas Jordan Gandy, 37 8:30 am 2/16/2026 Photo Courtesy MCSO

As a result of the continued investigation, detectives identified Nicholas Jordan Gandy, 37, as a suspect in connection to this case and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On Monday, February 16, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located Gandy and arrested him. Gandy was transported to the Law Enforcement Center and charged with Murder.

Gandy is a habitual criminal with a long arrest record, as many as  a dozen prior arrests mostly traffic and misdemeanors. 

Some of Gandy's Priors:

INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD

STATUTORY RAPE OF CHILD <=15

SECOND DEGREE TRESPASS 2 Counts  

FICTITIOUS INFORMATION TO OFFICER 2 Counts

MISDEMEANOR LARCENY 2 Counts

DWLR NOT IMPAIRED REV 2 Counts

DR/ALLOW REG PLATE NOT DISPLAY 2 Counts

ASSAULT ON A FEMALE 4 Counts

INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY 2 Counts

CMPD Affidavit

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 0606 hours CMPD officers responded to 741 Lawton Road in reference to Check the Welfare call for service in which the 911 caller stated that there was subject lying on the ground and not moving. 

The victim, Tabulon DeBreshea Reece (Reece) (B/F, 09/29/1992), was located off the roadway and found to have gunshot wound to the head. Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) pronounced the victim deceased at 0621 hours. 

Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Search were requested and responded to the scene.

Detectives spoke with the victim's family members who advised that she was last known to be with her long-time boyfriend, Nicholas Jordan Gandy (Gandy) (B/M, 06/25/1988), and that they went to a club off North Graham Street in Charlotte, NC. 

The victim's family stated that she left in her Honda Accord. The victim's family members advised that Gandy returned to the victim's residence after the murder, advised that Gandy told them that the victim had his vehicle and he had the victim's car.

The family members advised that Gandy drives goldish Lexus, four door sedan with tinted windows. That vehicle was not located with the victim when she was found.

Detectives observed on the victim's Snapchat account, story posted by the victim around 0000 hours at club wearing the same outfit she was found in. Gandy is seen with her on the video.

Detectives spoke with the victim's family, who advised that her cell. phone number was ***-***-**** with Verizon. 

Detectives reviewed the victim's cell phone data on the night of the murder and found that her cell phone was pinging in the area of 741 Lawton Road, 10240 Old Dowd Road, and North Graham Street.

Detectives discovered that Gandy was arrested on February 15, 2026, at 10240 Old Dowd Road, Charlotte, NC, which is an Amazon Distribution Center, at 0435 hours for an unrelated incident. 

Detectives searched the tow file and discovered that 2004 Lexus ES 330 was towed by Trust Towing and-Recovery from the Amazon Distribution Center off Old Dowd Road at 0707 hours. 

Detectives responded to Trust Towing and Recovery located at 5416 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and located a Beige 2004 Lexus ES 330, VIN: JTHBA30G645022225

In the tow yard. Detectives observed blood inside the vehicle and Discharged Cartridge Casing (DCC) on the driver's side floorboard. Detectives observed an ID card belonging to Gandy hanging from the rearview mirror.

Based on the facts obtained during the investigation, there is probable cause that a-Murder occurred and Nicholas Jordan Gandy (Gandy) (B/M, 06/25/1992) committed these offenses.