Suspects Charged In Double Murder, Kidnapping Back In Charlotte

WCCB Staff,

UPDATE: Curtis Atkinson, Jr. and Nikkia Cooper were booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail around 8am Thursday, according to records.

Both are charged with first degree Kidnapping and two counts of first degree Murder. They are scheduled to appear in court Friday morning.

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UPDATE: Police have now charged Nikkia Cooper, 25, with the murders of Curtis and Ruby Atkinson.

CMPD says that both Cooper and Atkinson are currently in the custody of the Metropolitan Police Department, but have both waived extradition.

They are expected to arrive back in Charlotte sometime this evening, according to officials.

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[Original post from April 3, 2017]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man accused of killing his parents and taking an 11-year-old girl, prompting an Amber Alert has been arrested.Β  Curtis Atkinson Jr. is accused of killing his parents in their east Charlotte home on Sunday.

Police say Atkinson then took 11-year-old Arieyana Forney and fled the state. Β An Amber Alert was issued for Forney and police released a description of a vehicle they believed was involved in the double homicide in Charlotte.

Investigations say around 8pm, police in Washington, D.C. received a 911 call from a female who advised she was inside the vehicle that was involved in the incident and gave the 911 operator her approximate location.

Multiple police officers responded to the area and located the 2005 white Impala that was listed in the Amber Alert. Β Police say the driver of the vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. Β A short time later, the suspect vehicle was involved in a minor traffic accident which ended the pursuit, according to a news release.

Atkinson was immediately taken into custody. Β He is currently being held on local charges but will also be charged with the murder of his parents in Charlotte.

Police say Atkinson is the uncle of Forney. Β A second female, Nikkia Cooper, was also inside the vehicle and was detained after the pursuit. Β She is currently being held by police in Washington, D.C. on drug charges, according to police. Β Detectives are working to determine her involvement in the investigation.

CMPD is working closely with the FBI, the SBI, the Washington DC Police Department and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office to further investigate this crime.