CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police investigated a homicide in north Charlotte Thursday morning.
According to officials, a call regarding assault with a deadly weapon came in around 8:42 a.m. in the 7200 block of Oakwinds Ct.
Police said 23-year-old Khira Bernetta Denise Ruth McKinley was inside of a vehicle and pronounced dead on scene by MEDIC.
"There are signs of an injury and some blood," said CMPD Major Lisa Goelz. "We’re definitely treating it as a homicide, it’s definitely a suspicious death we are investigating."
Police confirmed on Friday that McKinley died from injuries she sustained from a gunshot wound.
NBC Charlotte talked to three teenage sisters who are second-guessing what they heard Thursday morning after seeing the massive police presence in the neighborhood.
“I heard back to back shots; I thought it was fireworks,” said Tamilah Belton.
“I thought it was just people playing around with fireworks because it’s the 4th,” said Jamaliah Belton.
A day meant to celebrate the country’s independence, took a tragic turn in the Queen City.
“Now every time somebody does fireworks, I’m going to think it’s gunshots,” said Samariah Kamara.
“I’ve never been up close to an actual crime scene, so it kind of like shocked me,” said Jamaliah Belton.
The woman’s death is Charlotte’s 60th homicide investigation this year, compared to 58 murders in all of 2018.
“I’m thinking this is a good neighborhood so nothing will happen, but then I turned around and look and I’m thinking I kind of got to watch what I do and where I go,” said Tamilah Belton
“I’m glad it wasn’t one of my family members, but I also feel bad for the other family because they lost a loved one on the 4th,” said Tamilah Belton.
Stay with NBC Charlotte for the latest on this developing story.