Charlotte, NC – Prosecutors say two men already on trial for the killing of a well-known Charlotte sandwich shop owner are now being connected to a second homicide case that unfolded just weeks later. The developments emerged in court this week, revealing what authorities describe as a pattern of escalating violence.
Deadly Robbery Outside a Family-Owned Sandwich Shop
According to details presented in court and reporting referenced in local coverage, 61-year-old Scott Brooks was opening Brooks Sandwich House early on December 19, 2019, when two men approached him with guns drawn. The popular shop, founded by Brooks’ father in 1973, was known in the community for its cash-only system — something investigators believe made it a target.
Authorities said the two armed suspects confronted Brooks, took roughly $100, and exchanged words with him, an encounter captured on surveillance footage. Brooks reportedly drew his own gun and fired, but the suspects returned fire, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene.
Prosecutors allege that Terry Connor Jr. and Steven Staples, now in their mid-thirties, are the two individuals responsible for the robbery and killing. Both appeared in court this week, where their charges and alleged actions were detailed publicly for the first time.
Prosecutors Connect Defendants to Additional Murders
During the ongoing trial, prosecutors revealed new accusations linking the same defendants to a separate double homicide that occurred weeks after Brooks’ death. The state alleges the men were involved in a violent spree that extended into early 2020.
On January 11, 2020, 35-year-old Siojvon Joseph and 35-year-old Asa Shannon were found shot to death inside a vehicle discovered down an embankment in Charlotte. Investigators believe that Staples and Everette Connor, Terry Connor’s brother, were involved in the killings.
Prosecutors highlighted this second case to demonstrate a broader pattern of violence involving the defendants and the Connor siblings. Evidence discussed in court included a search of a nearby home where officers found hidden mobile phones, scattered belongings, weapons, and other items consistent with a hastily abandoned hideout.
Evidence Presented by Authorities
Investigators described multiple pieces of evidence they believe connect the defendants to both crime scenes. Among the notable findings:
- Weapons and phones hidden in the ransacked residence near the site where Joseph and Shannon were found
- Surveillance video showing Brooks speaking to his attackers moments before the shooting
- A timeline prosecutors say aligns the defendants’ movements across both incidents
Authorities argue this evidence points toward coordinated actions by members of the Connor family and Staples, suggesting the killings were not isolated, random events.
Defense Response and Ongoing Proceedings
Both Connor and Staples have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Scott Brooks. Their attorneys maintain that the prosecution has not met the burden of proof and argue that tying the double homicide case to the Brooks killing is prejudicial.
Prosecutors are expected to rest their case next week, after which the defense will present its arguments. Meanwhile, the separate case involving the deaths of Joseph and Shannon remains pending.
Community Remembers Scott Brooks
Friends, customers, and longtime patrons continue to honour Brooks, a man widely remembered for his warm personality and deep ties to Charlotte’s food community. His obituary notes that he made friends easily, often through the sandwich shop that he and his brother Dave co-owned.
“Many of the friends he made were customers he had met along the way at Brooks’ Sandwich House,” the remembrance states. “Our family will cherish the stories and memories often conveyed in conversation with Scott about the diverse people he encountered at the shop.”
Conclusion
As the trial progresses, prosecutors are working to establish what they describe as a violent pattern involving multiple suspects tied to two separate killings. With the community still mourning Brooks and awaiting answers in the Joseph and Shannon case, the courtroom testimony continues to draw significant attention.
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