3 killed in separate areas of Charlotte on Saturday, police say
Charlotte police are investigating three unrelated killings in separate areas of Charlotte on Saturday, including two within 15 minutes of each other, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
The first homicide occurred just before 2 a.m. at the house at 1324 Wembley Drive in east Charlotte. A 50-year-old man who lived at the house suffered severe lacerations and head injuries from a blunt object and died, according to a police report. Police did not say what they believe led to the attack.
Just after 4:45 p.m., police found a person with multiple gunshot wounds after responding to a call of a shooting outside at the Food Lion, at 5624 N. Graham St., according to a CMPD news release and a police report.
A 68-year-old man, James Randall Martindale, was killed, according to police. Police on Saturday arrested Joshua Jontay Hasty, 44, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Police did not say what they believe led to the shooting. Observer news partner WSOC-TV reported that Martindale was unhoused and used a wheelchair.
Just after 5 p.m., police found a person with a gunshot wound at the brick apartment building at 147 Park Fairfax Drive, CMPD said. That’s off Freedom Drive in west Charlotte.
MEDIC also pronounced the person dead on scene.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said two of the shootings were related.
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM.