Local

Mom seeks answers as CMPD looks for person of interest in deadly gas station shooting

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking for help finding a person of interest in a deadly shooting at a north Charlotte gas station earlier this week.

Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura learned officers were called to the gas station, the Circle K on West Sugar Creek Road at W.T. Harris Boulevard, at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday.

A Channel 9 crew saw an active police scene with crime scene tape and officers at the Circle K.

Detectives said 28-year-old Rahmiek D. Brown died at the scene.

On Tuesday, police released still photos of someone on security camera footage, and asked anyone who may know him to contact detectives. CMPD said that person may have information on Monday’s shooting.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 704-432-8477.

‘I don’t know why you had to kill him’

Brown’s mother told Channel 9 she’s heartbroken and is demanding answers about his murder.

“I just don’t understand why, I don’t know what happened out there, I don’t know why you had to kill him,” Tamieeka Brown said.

She said she didn’t find out her son died until the next day.

Rahmiek D. Brown was a father to a little girl and was loved by many, his mom said. She shared a text exchange with Kustura -- their final one before he died.

“‘Love you my queen, you da the best,’” his message read.

It’s that love of family Tamieeka Brown misses the most about her son. She says Rahmiek always joked and cracked a smile -- especially around his young daughter, who he leaves behind.

“I’m proud that everyone remembers him that way, the way he was,” Tamieeka Brown said.

Brown said someone called her when they saw Rahmiek’s car towed away from the scene on television the next day. She rushed from Maryland to Charlotte, desperate for answers.

“Did he have a chance to survive? And he just laid there and died by himself, I want to know what happened to my son,” she said.

Brown also had a message for the person who pulled the trigger.

“Whoever you are, whoever did this to my child, I don’t hate you but I want to know what happened, I really do,” she said.

Amid the heartbreak and agony, Brown is now planning Rahmiek’s funeral, praying people donate to the GoFundMe set up for it because she says she can’t afford it.

“I’ve never planned a funeral before and I never thought I’d lose my child,” she said.

She’s asking anyone who recognizes the person in the photos to call police because she and her family are desperate for answers.

>> To contribute to the Browns’ GoFundMe, click here.

Editor’s note: The person pictured above was previously identified as a suspect in the shooting. Police say they are looking for the individual as they may know more in the case.

(WATCH BELOW: CMPD: July homicide in southeast Charlotte was justified, no charges)