CMPD investigating homicide after man found shot in car

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are searching for a suspect after a Kannapolis father was found shot to death in his car Saturday.

Officers were called to the 7300 block of North Tryon Street around 9 a.m. after someone noticed a man unresponsive inside a car that was parked outside Auto Toyz.

Investigators said they found Ray Allison, 31, with an apparent gunshot wound.  Medics pronounced Allison dead at the scene.

Channel 9 talked with Allison's family Saturday evening and learned he has a 9-year-old daughter, was a painter by profession, was engaged to be married and played drums for his church.  Allison's fiancée showed Channel 9 the set he often practiced on inside the Kannapolis home they shared for the past three years.

Allison's fiancée said he had gone to the local gentleman's club called Leather and Lace that sits just next to the parking lot where he was found dead.

"I started calling him around 4:30 a.m. and he wasn't answering," said Tericka Knox. "That's not like him and I just knew something was wrong."

The family got an even worse feeling after a friend called and said they recognized Allison's car on North Tryon Street and that it was surrounded by police and crime tape.

"When my friend told me they saw his car I immediately called my sister, Ray's mother, and she had just received the call from police," said Stephanie Payne, who is Ray's aunt.  "It's just still such as shock that he was killed."

Investigators haven't released a motive in the case and no arrests have been made.

The family told Channel 9 detectives are taking a look at any surveillance footage picked up from stores in the area. 

The family hopes police find those responsible soon.

"Ray was never involved in anything crazy," said Heather Jenkins, who is his sister-in-law.  "He was the most sweet and kind guy.  He loved his nieces and nephews and this is just heartbreaking for his daughter."

"God will get us through this,' said Payne.  "God will take us through it and we will be OK. He will forever be in our hearts."

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call police.