CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man was sentenced to life in prison for killing his parents and kidnapping his niece in 2017.
Curtis Atkinson, Jr., 43, was found guilty on Thursday of two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping, among other charges, after a month-long trial. A judge sentenced Atkinson to life in prison without parole for the murder charges and added 33 to 44 years for the remaining charges.
Atkinson, along with his girlfriend Nikkia Cooper, 32, killed his parents by stabbing and shooting them on March 30, 2017, according to prosecutors.
The couple went to the Glencannon Drive home of Atkinson's parents after being evicted from their Crigler Street home on March 30. Later that day, an argument broke out between the family, leading to Atkinson and Cooper killing his parents, prosecutors said. Atkinson's 11-year-old niece was at the home when the killings happened.
Atkinson and Cooper remained at the home until April 2, 2017, when they kidnapped the niece and fled to Washington, D.C. The bodies of Atkinson's parents were found at the home on Glencannon Drive in northwest Charlotte.
The two suspects were arrested later that night in Washington and the niece was found uninjured.
Atkinson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was convicted of every charge.
Cooper pled guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon in May 2019. She was sentenced to 56 years in prison.
Editor's Note: This story was updated on Sept. 1, 2023 to correct street addresses.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshots of the suspects in this case because Curtis Atkinson, Jr. was convicted of murder.