A fatal shooting on Wednesday afternoon at the Ascent at Mallard Creek Apartments in northwest Charlotte has left a tight-knit community grappling with fear and shock. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the complex on Strive Street, near Odell School Road and Interstate 485, around 3:30 p.m., claiming the life of 33-year-old Jameisha Wilkes.
Witness accounts described the horrifying sequence of events. Charles Armstrong, a resident of the complex, recalled hearing what he initially mistook as a car backfiring. “It was one loud bang at first, which sounded like a car backfiring. Then it was a succession of loud bangs,” Armstrong said. Upon looking out, he discovered Wilkes lying motionless on the pavement and immediately called 911.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers arrived quickly, but despite their efforts, Wilkes was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a man, dressed entirely in black, fleeing the area through a breezeway shortly after the shooting.
By Thursday, the investigation had yielded a significant development. Police arrested 32-year-old Dasean Maddox in connection with the shooting. Maddox now faces charges of first-degree murder and robbery and is being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County Jail. According to court documents, Maddox admitted to a family member that he had driven to Wilkes’ apartment, shot her, taken her phone, and destroyed it. He reportedly confessed that the crime stemmed from a personal conflict involving Wilkes, with Maddox alleging that he had impregnated her.
The shooting, carried out in broad daylight, has left residents of the Ascent at Mallard Creek Apartments on edge. “I don’t feel safe,” Armstrong admitted. “I imagine everybody feels that way right now, just not knowing and it being broad daylight.” The complex, previously considered a relatively quiet residential area, is now grappling with heightened fears about safety and security.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues to investigate the case, piecing together details from witness statements and additional evidence. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, either directly to the police department or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of violent crimes that have plagued Charlotte in recent months, underscoring a rising concern over public safety. The city has been grappling with a surge in homicides, with community leaders calling for increased policing, more robust neighborhood watch programs, and expanded conflict-resolution initiatives.
Residents are left mourning the loss of Jameisha Wilkes, whose life was abruptly ended in such a violent manner. The senselessness of her death has fueled conversations about addressing the root causes of violence, including mental health issues, domestic disputes, and access to firearms. As the investigation unfolds, Charlotte residents hope for justice for Wilkes and measures to restore a sense of safety in their neighborhoods.
The tragic loss serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity and proactive solutions to combat the violence threatening the city. For now, the community mourns a life lost far too soon, awaiting closure and answers in the wake of an unimaginable act.
