CMPD: Man cut off electronic monitor weeks before hitting, killing employee in Steele Creek shopping center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said a man who was out on an electronic monitor has been charged with intentionally hitting and killing an employee with a car Friday afternoon in a Steele Creek shopping center.

According to police, 24-year-old Christopher Chisholm cut off his electronic monitor weeks before he hit Robert Hopkins, 56, with a car in a parking lot near South Tryon Street and Ayrsley Town Boulevard.

Police said Hopkins, who worked at a nearby store, was walking to his car around 3 p.m. when he saw Chisholm breaking into vehicles.

According to sources, Hopkins tried to stop Chisholm and there was a confrontation in the parking lot before Chisholm hit him with a silver Pontiac G5.

“For what, what is that worth a car break-in, worth a life? No," said customer Erica Testerman.

Hopkins was taken to Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center where he died.

“We got people out here who literally are going to be hurting because of this, friends and family and loved ones," said Maj. Dave Robinson, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Organizers to march to Stop the Killing Organizers to march to Stop the Killing

Police said Chisholm was arrested Sunday after they spotted the Pontiac on McAllister Road.

When officers tried to pull the car over, they said the driver sped off and led them on a brief chase before Chisholm and two others hopped out and ran.

Chisholm was later caught and is facing dozens of charges including murder and breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

The two other passengers in the car were not involved in the murder, according to police.

Officials said Chisholm was placed on electronic monitoring on Nov. 6 after being charged with 28 counts of felony conspiracy, 1 count of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, and 1 count of felony larceny.

He reportedly cut off the monitor on Nov. 18.

This was Charlotte’s 105th homicide of 2019.

Channel 9 learned that Hopkins’ had a wife and two children. His friends and family started a GoFundMe for them. They want to raise $100,000 to pay off his children’s college debt and set up an investment fund to provide income for them in the future.

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