A Charlotte Mother Shot And Killed By Her Long-Time Boyfriend

CHARLOTTE, NC. —  A Charlotte mother shot and killed by her long-time boyfriend, marking the eighth homicide tied to domestic violence in Charlotte this year.

34-year-old Thomas McCray is charged with the murder of Shikeither Smith.

Mekeitsha Bennett has been friends with for over 20 years. She says Smith had nine children. She says 34-year-old Thomas McCray is the father of three of them, and that the couple who had a long on-again-off-again relationship, were broken up. Mekeitsha says Smith had a new boyfriend.

“She knew she wanted to move on with her life. That’s it. She didn’t deserve this,” says Bennett.

Officers were called to McCray’s house on Newcastle Street in North Charlotte early Wednesday morning. They found Smith shot to death inside. James Lenoir lives a few doors down. He says his wife heard multiple gunshots.

“I came out and looked around and that’s when I saw police going up and down the street,” says Lenoir.

Police took McCray into custody at the scene. He’s charged with first-degree murder.

Carol Shinn with Safe Alliance says domestic violence is a pattern of power and control, “The most dangerous time for a person is when they’re leaving their partner, so anything that anybody can do to help plan for that in advance would be a safe move for them.”

Safe Alliance can help if you or a family member are dealing with domestic violence call: 704.332.9034