Makayla Hooks
CORNELIUS, N.C. – Police arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection to a deadly stabbing in Cornelius.
It happened early Wednesday morning at an apartment complex off Ruffner Drive.
Upon arrival, officers located 24-year-old Demetri McGruder with a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, Makayla Hooks, was placed under arrest.
During an interview with police, Hooks claims she and McGruder were involved in an argument in the kitchen. According to police, Hooks said she was cutting steak, put a knife down, and then heard a noise in the bathroom. She went into the bathroom and found McGruder with a stab wound and called 911.
Bodycam footage shows Hooks advising officers that McGruder had a knife, she pushed him, and it stabbed him, police said. Hooks claims that didn’t happen and that the victim never possessed the knife. According to police, Hooks said she didn’t possess the knife after setting it down and that she never feared for her safety during the argument.
Police said Hooks provided inconsistent statements on how McGruder suffered the stab wound. Detectives said McGruder had bruises and marks on his body while Hooks had no noticeable injuries. There were signs of a struggle at the scene and that there was a large amount of blood in the master bedroom and on the knife used for the crime, according to police.
Hooks was charged with second-degree murder and was transported to the Mecklenburg County Jail.
