Melvin Ashby, a 26-year-old African American man, was fatally shot on September 19, 2015, at a residence on Lantana Avenue in east Charlotte. Police were called about 7:45 p.m. and found Ashby with a gunshot wound; he died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

Investigators determined the shooting followed an argument between Ashby and another individual identified as Jose Carlos Cruz. Cruz was interviewed the night of the shooting and released, but later was arrested on murder charges and the case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of formal charges. The event occurred during a violent weekend in Charlotte that included multiple shootings and left the community reeling.

Anyone who was in east Charlotte that evening or who has information about the argument or the shooting on Lantana Avenue is asked to come forward.