On October 7, 2023, CMPD officers responded around 5:30 p.m. to an assault with a deadly weapon in the 10500 block of Park Crossing Drive in south Charlotte. Officers found a male victim with apparent gunshot wounds who was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Shortly afterward 21-year-old Paychense Marie-Ann Hammonds arrived at Atrium Health Pineville with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased.

Paychense, known as Pay Pay, was a 2020 graduate of South Mecklenburg High School and was remembered for creativity and entrepreneurship — making lace front wigs, designing nails, and creating her own clothing. Detectives identified 21-year-old Jaydon Bakari Turay as a suspect; on October 16, 2023, he was arrested and charged with murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The investigation is active.

If anyone knew Paychense or has information about the shooting, please share what might help the ongoing investigation.