In the evening of Thursday, April 9, 2026, officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call in the 100 block of East McCullough Drive in the University City area of Charlotte. Responding officers found 38-year-old Virgil Leroy Hardeman Jr. in a motel parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel took him to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries the next day, Friday, April 10, 2026.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department opened a homicide investigation. Detectives from the Homicide Unit, the University City Division and Crime Scene Search worked the scene. Authorities have not released a motive, no arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The department has asked anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit or submit anonymous tips to Charlotte Crime Stoppers.

If anyone saw activity around East McCullough Drive the evening of April 9 or has information about Hardeman’s death, please contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Homicide Unit.