CMPD identifies man found fatally shot at shopping center as investigation continues

This story was updated at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are conducting two separate homicide investigations, including one that happened in the parking lot of a shopping center in northern Charlotte.

Around 6:45 p.m. Monday, officers responded to a call for an assault with a deadly weapon near the 6400 block of West Sugar Creek Road, near West W.T. Harris Boulevard. They found a adult male with apparent gunshot wounds. Medic pronounced him dead at the scene.

Detectives taped off a large portion of the parking lot, according to Observer news partner WBTV.

Early Tuesday, police identified the victim as 29-year-old Ryan Devon Autry. No arrests have been made.

Eddie Ingram, who does his shopping near the scene of the homicide, told WBTV that he is not used to seeing violence there.

“My parents come up here. This is where my parents shop,” Ingram said. “That’s not a good thing.”

Police Maj. Cecil Brisbon told reporters at the scene that Monday night’s killing marks the city’s 22nd homicide of 2021.

Skeletal remains found

On Sunday, just after 10:30 a.m., CMPD said the skeletal remains of a human body were discovered in a wooded area near the 2200 block of Friendship Village Place, just off Beatties Ford Road. Detectives and the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office have not identified the person.

Police said they are investigating the case as a homicide.

The remains were found not far from where another body was found in the woods in January, according to WCNC.

Anyone with information about either case can call 704-432-TIPS. information can also be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 9:54 PM.