CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two people have been arrested in connection with a homicide that left a child dead in north Charlotte, police said.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Medic responded to a reported assault on Sunwalk Court, just off Statesville Road, around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Medic arrived at the area first and found a 12-year-old boy who suffered a "traumatic injury," according to police. The child, identified as Ahmad Wrighten, was rushed to a hospital where he died.
"Very sad, very sad,"Thadeus Johnson, who lives next door, said. "I feel sorry for the kid."
On Friday, CMPD announced that two people had been arrested. The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Anthony Rashad Wigfall and 32-year-old Demetria Robinson, were both charged with murder. CMPD said this is the sixth homicide in Charlotte in June.
Johnson told WCNC Charlotte there was no sound of commotion at the house before first responders arrived. Neighbors said the family who occupied the home had been living there for about five months and mostly kept to themselves, but Johnson said the family had aggressive dogs at the home.
"I think they were raising dogs and selling them to make some extra change," he said.
WCNC Charlotte looked into the renters' history and found multiple calls for service prior to Thursday's incident, some of which related to animal cruelty. CMPD Animal Care and Control sent WCNC Charlotte a statement saying it was called to the home to assist detectives with the case and that one animal was taken into its care.
"This is a good neighborhood," Johnson said. "This is the first time anything like this has happened. It just shocked me."
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with homicide detectives. For those who wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or leave a tip online.
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Note: WCNC instituted a 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 due to the serious nature of the charges.