Man Arrested For Murder Of Local Business Owner In North Charlotte
UPDATE: Desmond Black has been charged with murder and robbery in this case. Police say they are still actively searching for additional suspects.
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CHARLOTTE, NC — Police are searching for two suspects, after a man was shot and killed inside a convenience store off North Tryon Street in North Charlotte. It’s the Queen City’s 5th homicide of the year.
This latest murder is a devastating blow for Charlotte’s African immigrant community. Family and friends of the victim say he was an anchor for many who have fled the civil conflict in Liberia. They are calling for his killers to be brought to justice.
“We found a male subject deceased inside of one of the businesses here,” said CPD Major Freda Lester outside the crime scene. “We’re still conducting our investigation right now to figure out what happened.”
CMPD took a 911 call just after two o’clock Thursday afternoon.
Witnesses say they heard just one shot, and that 45-year-old Massaquoi Kotay stumbled from his shop into the Hidden Valley Barbershop next door, then collapsed on the floor.
Police called in K9 units, tracking two suspects down a trail to a nearby apartment complex, before losing the scent.
“I was with Kotay last night,” said the victim’s friend Dr. Gonsahn Mattaldi. “I was with him about 10:30 last night. I was right here. And as we always do, we fellowship, and he and myself we were laughing.”
Doctor Mattaldi says the victim was known as James Kotay, and came to the US from Liberia 15 years ago. Kotay’s African grocery store and the convenience store next to it are gathering spots for Charlotte’s Liberian immigrant community.
Dozens of people came out to the crime scene as news of his murder spread.
“We all have concerns in the area,” said Mattaldi. “But at the end of the day, we’ve never had a situation where they’ve come to a point, you know, that has become this dangerous.”
Police have not released a motive in this crime.
Mattaldi says Kotay was a smiling man with giant spirit, who welcomed all.
“We see ourselves as one community,” said Mattaldi. “And we don’t really have conflict, you know. And even if you want something, if it’s money, if it’s robbery we give it to you! You go! But to kill a person.You know it’s a sad day, for real, in Charlotte, North Carolina.”
Kotay’s family and friends, and CMPD, are asking anyone with information on this murder to contact Crimestoppers.
