Charlotte’s first 2020 homicide victim was shot then collapsed nearby in woman’s home

In Charlotte’s first homicide of the year, a woman called 911 in the middle of the night to say a stranger — with a gunshot wound in his chest — opened the door of her home and collapsed, according to information from authorities and emergency radio traffic.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says 43-year-old Devonne Lamonte Smith was killed and a second man was injured during a shooting that happened around 3 a.m. Wednesday. Police say both men were found inside a home on Feldbank Drive, off Beatties Ford Road near Hornets Nest Park.

“Upon arrival, officers located a male inside of a home with a gunshot wound,” a CMPD press release said.

“He was pronounced deceased on scene by Medic. Another male victim was located in the home with a gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital ... At this time, the relationship between the two victims is unknown.”

A woman who called 911 about the shooting victim in her home told dispatchers she did not know who he was but that he was badly injured.

“She doesn’t know who he is. He’s laying on his stomach, shot in his chest,” a 911 worker is heard saying on public emergency radio traffic, accessed by The Charlotte Observer Wednesday via Broadcastify.

The deadly shooting overnight is the first homicide of 2020 for Charlotte and follows a year of increased violence in the city. In 2019, there were 107 homicides.

Anyone with tips about the shooting can call CMPD at 704-432-TIPS, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 5:22 AM.