Father accused of killing 5-year-old son in Pineville stabbing

PINEVILLE, N.C. — A 5-year-old boy was stabbed and killed by his father in Pineville overnight Thursday, police said.

Pineville Police said it happened at the Sabal Point Apartments shortly after midnight.

According to court documents, 31-year-old Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, the child’s father and the mother’s ex-boyfriend, kicked in the front door of the apartment, went into his son’s bedroom and shut the door. The mother heard a commotion and opened it, and Echoles went running.

When officers arrived, they found the child outside in his mother’s arms with multiple stab wounds. They began taking life-saving measures to rescue the boy. Police drove the young child to the hospital themselves, but he did not survive.

Pineville Police identified the boy who was killed as Khalil Ali Echoles.

Echoles is now charged with first-degree murder and assault on a female.

Investigators also confirmed there was another child in the apartment at the time of the stabbing. That child was not injured.

Investigators say this was a domestic incident, not a random act. The suspect has a history of domestic violence.

Echoles has been convicted of assaulting a woman. He has two pending cases for the same charge. There was an active warrant for his arrest on one of those charges.

Bea Cote, who is with Impact Plus Abuse Prevention Services, said warning signs of an abuser could be evident or appear suddenly.

“Look for control, she said. “Even if it looks like love, if he’s telling you what he wants you to wear to please him, if he’s telling you that your friends aren’t healthy for you, all of those things are signs of control.”

Police are helping the victims.

“We’re supporting them 100%,” Officer Corey Copley with the Pineville Police Department said. “We’re also getting them resources as well to help them cope with this.”

She said leaving an abuser that you live with takes strategy.

“What we suggest that victims do is talk to somebody at victim assistance about a possible restraining order, but also they need to make plans,” Cote said.

Channel 9 is asking police what led up to the deadly stabbing.

A GoFundMe has been created to help cover funeral expenses for Khalil. Click here to donate.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the Safe Alliance Hope Line is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. The number is 980-771-HOPE.

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