Jaqual Malik Bennett, an 18-year-old from Charlotte, was found dead in the driveway of a home in southeast Charlotte on November 4, 2017. The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide; he was later confirmed to have been shot. The shooting occurred around 3:40 a.m. in the 1800 block of Village Lake Drive.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police detectives identified a 16-year-old boy, Scott Bryan Penaloza, as a suspect, obtained an arrest warrant, and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested him without incident. Penaloza was charged with Bennett’s murder and is being held at the Mecklenburg County Jail while legal proceedings continue.

Jaqual’s death has deeply affected his community and raised concern about gun violence among youth in Charlotte. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.