Reginald Lawrence, 46, of New York, was shot and killed on November 29, 2019, while visiting Charlotte for Thanksgiving. He was outside an apartment complex on Pebblestone Drive when a resident, 32-year-old Carlton Benbow, approached and an argument followed. Benbow shot Lawrence and also fired at Lawrence’s child but missed.

Law enforcement arrested Benbow the next day. He was charged with first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At trial Benbow asserted self-defense; a jury convicted him of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but acquitted him of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 67–93 months in prison.

Lawrence’s death was one of several shootings in Charlotte that week, drawing attention to gun violence and the complexities of self-defense claims in violent encounters. If anyone knew Reginald Lawrence, witnessed the November 29 incident, or has information about that day, please share what is known.