1 dead, 1 critically hurt by shots in Charlotte’s Park Crossing community, CMPD says

One person was killed and a second was critically wounded by gunfire in south Charlotte’s Park Crossing community, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The woman who died was identified as 21-year-old Paychense Marie Ann Hammonds, CMPD said in a case update.

A suspect has been arrested, officials said.

The initial 911 call came around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in the 10500 block of Park Crossing Drive, near the intersection of Park and Johnston roads. The caller reported an assault with a deadly weapon, officials said.

“Upon arrival, officers located a male with apparent gunshot wounds. This subject was transported by MEDIC to Atrium-Main (hospital) with life-threatening injuries,” CMPD said in a news release.

“Shortly after, a female subject arrived at Atrium-Pineville (hospital) with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased.”

A suspect, 21-year-old Jaydon Bakari Turay, was arrested Oct. 16 and charged with murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, CMPD said in a case update.

Investigators believe the two victims were in a vehicle when another car pulled up and someone began firing shots, the Observer’s news partner WSOC reports. Witnesses heard “between five and six shots,” the station said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CMPD Homicide Unit at 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a detective.

“The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published October 8, 2023 at 6:57 AM.