Charges Dismissed Against Man Charged In Northwest Charlotte Murder

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says all charges have been dismissed against the man charged in connection to a northwest Charlotte homicide back in April.

Tomka McDowell was arrested on April 5th and charged with the murder of 71-year-old Santa Rodena Acevedo. On June 20th however, detectives announced all charges against McDowell were being dismissed.

According to CMPD, information provided by his attorney and further investigation into the case has shown McDowell could not have been involved in Acevedo’s murder. Police did not provide any additional information.

On April 4th, around 7:15pm, police say they found a husband and wife shot inside a home on Newland Road off of Lasalle Street.

The wife, 71-year-old Santa Rodena Acevedo, was pronounced dead at the scene, police say, and the husband was taken to Atrium Health for treatment.

The following 911 call from the shooting was released on April 8th.

McDowell was initially identified as a suspect based on witness testimony. CMPD says Homicide detectives and the District Attorney’s Office have now agreed to drop all charges.

Family members have released photos of the victims, which can be viewed in the gallery above.

Police have not released any information on another possible suspect. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.