CHARLOTTE — A 27-year-old man was arrested for the murder of Kenneth McKinnon, 56, who was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon on West Ninth Street near Johnson Street in Uptown Charlotte.
Demarqus Arnez Carter was arrested Thursday and faces the charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Friday.
The shooting happened outside the Pinewood Cemetery
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McKinnon’s sister, Barbara McLauren, said her brother was a good person.
“If he could help you, he would help you,” she told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts.
“Our brother just got killed,” McLauren said. “My grandson broke down and went outside screaming, but I still can’t believe it. It was a hard pill to swallow.”
McKinnon’s family members, who live in Lumberton, said it has been a tough week but are grateful there was an arrest. Carter has a criminal history. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested him in 2022 for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon.
“Why is he still out there on the street to be allowed to take somebody’s life?” asked Kenneth Edwards, McKinnon’s son.
Police have not released a motive, but McKinnon’s family acknowledged he struggled with substance abuse.
“I used to talk with him and pray with him,” McLauren said. “One minute, he will be doing right and the next minute he’d get back out there. No matter what he did, by me being his sister, he was a good person.”
McLauren encourages families dealing with the same issue to not to give up on their loved ones.
“Talk to them,” she said. “Make sure they are good. Still pray for them and let them know there is someone out there who does love them.”
The family said they will go to court and ensure that justice is served.
“I want him to have life,” Edwards said. “He needs to be punished for what he done to our family. He took a loved one.”
“I want to know why would you kill my brother?” McLauren said. “You didn’t have to kill him.”
Carter was not given bond and remains in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
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