Emmanuel Hagos Gebru, 31, was shot and killed shortly after 2:20 a.m. on June 27, 2021, on East Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, North Carolina. Emergency responders found him with a gunshot wound and he was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department opened a homicide investigation. On June 29, 2021, 24-year-old Azbel Cruz Castro was arrested and charged with Emmanuel’s murder; authorities said the arrest involved cooperation between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Investigators described the shooting as a targeted act of violence but have not released a motive or detailed the relationship, if any, between Emmanuel and Azbel.

Emmanuel’s death has been deeply felt by his family, friends, and community. If anyone has information that could help the Homicide Unit, contact them or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.