Demario Tillman was 29 when he was fatally shot in west Charlotte on May 23, 2020. Known as Mario, he was a father of three boys, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, worked as a VA counselor at the Urban Ministries Center, and coached youth sports. The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. on Hovis Road near Bradford Drive after a verbal altercation escalated and Tillman was struck by a stray bullet. He was taken by private vehicle to Atrium Health, where he died.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police identified 27-year-old Darryana Hearn as a suspect; Hearn, described as an acquaintance of Tillman, turned herself in on May 24, 2020, and was charged with his murder. Tillman’s family and community have spoken about his role as a mentor and called for stronger efforts to curb local gun violence.

If anyone knew Demario Mario Tillman or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.