4th suspect in Charlotte shooting of 4-year-old boy arrested in Raleigh, police say

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Authorities have identified the young child killed during a tragic shooting in a Steele Creek neighborhood as Jayce Edwards, just 4 years old.

Four suspects are now in custody and facing charges related to his death.

Arrests made in Steele Creek

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police announced Thursday that three men, Marquise Geurrier, 24; Angelo Hudson, 20; and Jordon Davis, 23, were arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

CMPD said they were found and taken into custody by members of the CMPD’s Steele Creek Division and SWAT team. The men were brought to CMPD’s Law Enforcement Center, interviewed by homicide detectives, and later all charged with first-degree murder.

They are now in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, held without bond.

Fourth suspect captured in Raleigh

On Thursday morning, a fourth suspect, 18-year-old Anthony Abel, was arrested in Raleigh with help from the Raleigh Police Department’s Fugitive Unit and CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team. He, too, is facing a first-degree murder charge and will be extradited to Mecklenburg County in the coming weeks.

Detectives said they’re currently en route to Raleigh to interview him.

Attempted vehicle theft turns deadly

The investigation began early Wednesday morning after CMPD responded to an attempted vehicle theft in Steele Creek. According to officials, several suspects tried to steal a Dodge Charger parked outside a home on Cigar Court.

That attempted theft took a tragic turn when gunfire erupted around 6 a.m., striking a home and killing 4-year-old Jayce, who was asleep inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Multiple stolen vehicles

Police believe the suspects were trying to break into the Charger after arriving in a stolen Dodge Durango, which had reportedly been taken earlier that morning from Cabarrus County.

Surveillance video captured the suspects during the thefts, and court documents said the group fled in multiple stolen vehicles, including a Jeep and a Chevy Camaro linked to another theft in York County, South Carolina, according to court documents.

Captures and confessions

Security footage from a Mecklenburg County gas station helped investigators identify several of the suspects. A police pursuit followed, and Hudson was later captured and confessed to being involved, according to court records.

Court documents state that Hudson admitted he was at the scene and heard gunfire as the group attempted the car break-in. He claimed shots were fired from “someone” inside the Durango. Based on his statement and supporting evidence, CMPD believes there’s probable cause to charge Hudson and the others with murder.

Community help and collaboration

On Thursday, CMPD credited the progress in the case to strong collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET), the York County Sheriff’s Office, and help from the community.

While four suspects are now in custody, CMPD said the investigation is still open and active.

Jayce’s family has been notified of the arrests. His death has shaken the Steele Creek community, and CMPD said they are committed to securing justice for the young victim.