26-Year-Old Charged With Voluntary Manslaughter In Concord Homicide

CONCORD, N.C. – A 26-year-old man is facing charges in connection to a homicide in Concord on Thursday morning, according to the Concord Police Department.

Around 8:45 a.m., Concord officers responded to the parking lot of Danny’s Place off Church Street North in regards to a shooting.

Police said one suspect, later identified as Deamonte Leeshawn Howard, left the scene on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter by Concord officers.

A victim, suffering from a gunshot wound, got into the backseat of a car that left the scene and later crashed into another vehicle and a utility pole near the Church Street and Winecoff Avenue intersection, officials said.

The victim, 24-year-old Nijel La’te Hitchcock, of Charlotte, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Howard was charged with voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Police said Howard and Hitchcock knew each other and they don’t believe it was a random act of violence.

Howard is being held in the Cabarrus County Jail without bond.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Concord Police Department at 704-920-5000.