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Officers respond to break-in call, find man dead at northeast Charlotte home

CHARLOTTE — A woman living in northeast Charlotte came home Tuesday night and found her family member dead, detectives said.

Jonathan Sheffield, 25, died on Malibu Drive off The Plaza, police said.

“Another resident came home, initially appeared to be a break-in, went inside, she was the one who called 911,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Maj. Brad Koch. “Officers went in and realized it was more than a break-in.”

Police said the way the call was initially categorized -- as a breaking-and-entering call -- may have been due to the frantic nature of the caller.

Neighbors told Channel 9′s Evan Donovan they’re used to that kind of violence happening nearby, but not in this specific neighborhood.

Nikki Baldwin said she got home around 7 p.m. Tuesday and heard a woman yelling for help.

“It is very scary because I have a little 4-year-old and he comes out and plays, and it is very scary,” Baldwin said. “I am just terrified that happened right here.”

Sheffield had lived there for less than a year, according to neighbors, and they often saw him outside playing with his dog.

Stephanie Teeter is in the area a lot because her mom lives nearby. She said the incident brings back memories of her own trauma -- her daughter and nephew were killed last year.

“It’s a lot, it’s disturbing,” she said. “Because you think it’s going away, and you’re getting over it, and it’s coming right back when something like this happens -- someone in their home, resting.”

Investigators have not yet shared information about a motive in the case.

“I think there are a whole host of options that our detectives are going to actively look into,” CMPD Maj. Brad Koch said.

No arrests have been made.

Return to this story for updates.


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Evan Donovan

Evan Donovan, wsoctv.com

Evan is an anchor and reporter for Channel 9.