CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Three months after a man was gunned down near the Ayrley community, an arrest has been made, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.
In November 2024, Apree Dontell Leak, 22, was shot at an unknown location and driven to a gas station on South Tryon Street near Interstate 485. Police and EMS responded to the gas station, and Leak was taken to Atrium Main, where he was pronounced dead.
“For me, it’s just you don’t see it as much in this area, so that’s the shocking piece,” neighbor Amanda Bill told Queen City News following the shooting.
“It’s sad to hear the age and to think about somebody that has so much to life to live but even if it was somebody that’s older, they still have life to live, so for me, it’s just sad all around,” she continued.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, officers arrested 22-year-old Demetry Guy Rorie in connection with the murder. Police say Rorie was already on electronic monitoring for a different crime when he was arrested. He is charged with:
- Murder
- Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
According to an arrest warrant, Rorie is accused of murdering Leak and taking the man’s cell phone.
He is not allowed to have a gun due to a conviction of conspiracy to commit a robbery with a dangerous weapon from an incident that happened in June 2018. In May 2019, he was sentenced to 20-36 months in prison for that charge.
According to jail and prison records, Rorie has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for breaking and entering incidents.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 704-432-TIPS to speak with a CMPD homicide detective. Detective Planty is the lead in this case. To leave information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.
