Jose Octavio Cruz, 57, known to friends and family as Tavito, was a carpenter and a Christian preacher who led a local prayer group in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was killed during a home invasion on the night of August 2, 2024, in the 3500 block of Shamrock Drive in east Charlotte. Several armed men entered the residence shortly before midnight attempting to steal more than a thousand dollars in cash; the intruders opened fire and four people were shot. Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene; three other victims were hospitalized.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested three men within days: 19-year-old Kevin Zetino on August 6, 24-year-old Adilio Cesar Garcia Lemus on August 7, and 20-year-old Jonathan Rivera on August 8. All three were charged with multiple felonies including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and first-degree burglary. Subsequent pleas by two defendants resulted in guilty pleas and lengthy state prison terms for their roles in the shooting; one defendant remains awaiting trial. If anyone knew Jose Cruz, his movements that night, or saw activity near Shamrock Drive on August 2, please share what was seen.