CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 17-year-old Jack in the Box worker was being robbed by two suspects who waited on him to get off work when he was shot to death, a warrant obtained by WCNC Charlotte alleges.
The warrant says the suspects waited more than 20 minutes before confronting Fate Brannon at the Jack in the Box off Brookshire Boulevard on March 29. The suspects then pulled out a gun and tried to rob Brannon before shooting him in the chest, investigators said.
One of the suspects, 28-year-old Marcus Dahn, was arrested the next day. He was first arrested on an unrelated warrant, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Following an interview with detectives, Dahn was identified as a suspect in the case and charged with first-degree murder, felony conspiracy and multiple weapons charges. It's still unclear what, if any, relationship Dahn had to Brannon.
CMPD is still looking for a second suspect in connection with Brannon's death. Detectives haven't identified that person or released any details other than to say they were wearing a mask at the time of the shooting.
Lisa Crawford with Mothers of Murdered Offspring said the recent violence in Charlotte starts at home and doesn't believe city leaders alone should bear the responsibility to fix it.
“If the police chief was to be where someone was going to kill somebody, they’d kill somebody," Crawford said. "It starts with the parents. We know when they are out of control, parents know when they are out of control.”
One of Brannon's friends shared fond memories of him with WCNC Charlotte. She said they spent time at a mall once after he waited for her in the cold to finish a 5K run in elementary school.
"He was funny and compassionate," she said. "He always made sure he knew the people he cared about knew how much he loved them."
Brannon's friend also said snacking on french fries and watching the movie "Scream" were things that reminded her of him.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Witnesses may also call 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with CMPD homicide detectives. All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and information that leads to an arrest could be eligible for a reward.
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