CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A homicide investigation is underway after a person was found dead in south Charlotte on Monday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
CMPD has identified the victim as 36-year-old Derrick Byas.
Officers first responded to the scene around 5:30 a.m. Monday for reports of a disabled vehicle in the 7300 block of Rea Road between Interstate 485 and Piper Glen Drive. When they got there, they found Byas who had a gunshot wound.
Officials said his body was found outside of the car, near an embankment off the road.
The northbound lanes of Rea Road were closed for a few hours while detectives checked the scene for evidence of the homicide. Byas was found in a silver Nissan SUV with Colorado license plates on it. Investigators were seen taking photos of the SUV's interior and the surrounding area.
CMPD hasn't released any further details about the investigation at this time and it's unclear if police are looking for any suspects.
People who live in the area said this is not typical for the Piper Glen community.
“This is a pretty quiet and safe area,” Margarita Afanaseva said. ”Just people commuting to work or school.”
“A lot of our shops are walking distance and we like that,’ Mark Weinberger added. “That we can walk to a shop or walk to a restaurant and if there is too much crime then you can’t do that and it defeats the purpose of being in a comfortable area.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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