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Meck County deputy killed in domestic-related shooting, authorities say

By Liz Foster and Mark Becker, wsoctv.com
By Liz Foster and Mark Becker, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man found shot to death Monday in a northeast Charlotte home was a Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputy, officials with the Sheriff's Office said.

[IMAGES: Mecklenburg County sheriff's deputy killed in domestic-related shooting]

Deputy Sheriff James Hawkins had been with Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and was assigned to arrest processing, authorities said in a news release.

He was shot to death in what police believe was a domestic-related shooting, and his wife, Rataba Hawkins, who is also a deputy, is part of the homicide investigation. She was put on administrative leave.

Authorities have not explained how Rataba Hawkins was involved. She has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2002 and is assigned to field operations.

“From the time I walked in, this affected me last night, my sleep,” Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael said.

"Our hearts go out to their family as they cope and grieve with this tragedy," officials said in a news release.

Officers and paramedics were called around 4:30 p.m. to Ashley Meadow Drive to a report of someone being shot.

A Channel 9 photographer at the scene saw five Charlotte-Mecklenburg police cruisers in the neighborhood, and people who arrived home to see the police presence were being walked to their residences by officers.

“This is tough. This is very tough,” Carmichael said. “Especially when you know the folks so closely.”

No charges have been filed.

Police investigate on Ashley Meadow Drive.

There have been four homicides in Charlotte in 2018 and police said that all of them have been domestic-related.

Norman Spencer works with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse at Safe Alliance. He calls the string of domestic violence cases a perfect storm where no one is immune.

“You name the client, I've seen them before, a thousand times over,” Spencer said.

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