19-year-old charged in kidnapping and robbery that escalated to murder, CMPD says

A Georgia teenager has been charged in connection with a kidnapping and robbery that turned deadly when the victim refused to cooperate, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The killing of 45-year-old Michael Alexander happened on Feb. 9 in the University City area, but a suspect was not arrested until Thursday, CMPD said in a Feb. 20 news release.

Mehki Randle, 19, of Grovetown, Georgia, was located by CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and has been charged with: murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first degree kidnapping, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony conspiracy, CMPD said.

“On Monday, February 9, at approximately 12:33 a.m., officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service in the 3500 block of David Cox Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim, Michael Alexander, ... who had sustained an apparent gunshot wound,” police said.

“MEDIC transported Mr. Alexander to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. At the hospital, Mr. Alexander succumbed to his injuries.”

A witness implicated Randle, and phone records showed he was at the scene when the homicide occurred, according to court documents. The witness reported he and Alexander confronted by two men in a black Mercedes, one of whom was armed, an affidavit says.

“The suspects told Alexander to ‘get in the car’ and Alexander refused. A scuffle ensued as the suspects attempted to get Alexander into the car. During the scuffle, Alexander was shot and the suspects fled,” the affidavit says.

The 3500 block of David Cox Road is near the intersection of West W.T. Harris Road, adjacent to Cheshire Place shopping center, maps show.

Grovetown, Georgia, is about a 175-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte.