Lunch Break (12/23/15): CMPD releases picture of car involved in early morning murder on Brookshire

Homicide detectives are looking for help in solving an early morning murder that took place on Brookshire Boulevard this morning. Police responded to an assault call in the parking lot of a gas station and found Benny Edward Bennett Jr. laying in the lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Medic. Police believe the victim was involved in an altercation with the suspect before the shooting. The suspect is believed to have fled the scene in a burgundy or maroon four-door vehicle with a blue front left quarter panel and a “donut” spare on the front left tire (see picture on right). The vehicle was last seen traveling on Brookshire Boulevard towards I-85. Investigators are asking that anyone with information call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Isenhour is the lead detective assigned to the case. (Ryan Pitkin) 

One man was reportedly killed in an accident involving a Greyhound bus in Uptown this morning. Witnesses said the bus was going the wrong way on W Trade Street when it hit light pole, which fell and hit a bystander, killing him. None of the 15 passengers on the bus were injured. Police have not released the name of the victim. W Trade Street was closed for nearly four hours following the accident, and reopened around 7:30 a.m. (WBTV Web Staff) 

The Union County Sheriff’s Office has charged 24-year-old Kristin Lea in the death of a Union County man who died of a heroin overdose in June. Investigators said they finally compiled enough evidence to prove that Lea gave Justin Tarlton the heroin that would later kill him. She was picked up by Wilmington police in Southport, North Carolina, where she recently moved. She faces charges of selling heroin and involuntary manslaughter. The UCSO is fighting back against a surge in heroin overdoses and arrests. Deputies recently arrested 24-year-old Farrell Glaser in relation to the overdose death of Trenton Phillips. (Fox46) Creative Loafing recently published a story about the surge in heroin overdoses in Charlotte and surrounding areas. 

Ten Carolina Panthers players were named to this season’s Pro Bowl last night, a record high for the franchise. The list includes five first-timers and five players who will be returning to Hawaii, although everyone anticipates they’ll be bypassing that earned vacation, as players participating in the Super Bowl to not make the trip to the Pro Bowl. Among the first-time honorees is Thomas Davis, long thought to be deserving of a Pro Bowl trip. (WSOC Staff) 

Mayor Jennifer Roberts has formed a five-person committee of city council members to research whether Ron Carlee should remain Charlotte’s city manager. Carlee’s contract expires in April, and the committee will likely suggest to either renew the contract, let it expire, or keep Carlee on as an “at-will” employee who could be fired at any time. The committee will be chaired by Republican council member Ed Driggs and also includes Democrats Vi Lyles, Patsy Kinsey, Al Austin and James Mitchell. (Steve Harrison, Charlotte Observer) 

This article appears in Dec 22-30, 2015.