Charlotte, NC – A 34-year-old man is accused of stabbing a 68-year-old victim in the neck, stealing his belongings and car, and later being linked to the murders of two additional men in nearby Monroe, North Carolina. Authorities say the suspect’s violent crime spree spanned two cities and left three people dead within just two days.
The Incident: Deadly Stabbing and Robbery in Charlotte
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the first attack occurred on Thursday afternoon near the 1100 block of Central Avenue in Charlotte. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the suspect, Adam Mercado, approaching 68-year-old Gerald Barnes while driving a brown Hyundai Sonata.
Court documents state that Mercado spoke briefly with Barnes, showing him an object inside his bookbag before launching a sudden attack.
“The male stabs him in the neck and then demands that he surrender his car keys,” the criminal affidavit reads. “The victim surrenders his car keys, and the male stabs him several more times as the victim falls to the ground. The male then goes through the victim’s pockets and takes his wallet.”
After the stabbing, Mercado allegedly stole Barnes’ Honda Fit, loaded items from the Sonata into the newly stolen vehicle, and fled the scene. Responding officers found Barnes suffering from multiple stab wounds outside the building. He was pronounced dead later that night at a local hospital.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Detectives launched an immediate search for the Honda Fit and began reviewing security footage from nearby businesses. The video evidence reportedly captured clear images of Mercado wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves during the deadly encounter.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department worked with regional law enforcement to track Mercado’s movements after the stabbing. Investigators said that the motive appeared to be robbery, and the attack was both targeted and unprovoked.
Authorities noted that the stolen vehicle became a crucial lead, connecting Mercado to other violent crimes discovered just 24 hours later.
Additional Murders in Monroe
On Friday, the Monroe Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence on the 2600 block of Nelda Drive, located about 28 miles southeast of Charlotte. Inside, officers discovered the bodies of two men, identified as Matthew Moody, 52, and James Wallace, 49.
Police said both men were found dead under suspicious circumstances, and Mercado was quickly identified as the prime suspect.
“Detectives determined that the suspect in the Monroe homicides was the same individual wanted in connection with the Charlotte murder,” the department said in a press release.
Following the connection between the two cases, Monroe police charged Mercado with two counts of first-degree murder, in addition to the Charlotte charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
Mecklenburg County court records confirm that Mercado faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He remains in custody without bond as investigators from both jurisdictions continue to collaborate on the case.
Authorities have not released details about the weapon used in the Monroe killings but stated that Mercado’s pattern of violence and method of operation are under review by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Community Reaction and Police Statements
The violent nature of the attacks has left both Charlotte and Monroe residents shaken. Police emphasized that the incidents appear to be isolated acts carried out by the same individual.
“This was a senseless and brutal act of violence,” said a spokesperson for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. “Our detectives worked tirelessly to identify and locate the suspect responsible.”
Residents in both communities have expressed concern over the random nature of the attacks. One local shop owner near the Charlotte crime scene told reporters, “It’s terrifying to think something like this can happen in broad daylight.”
Background and Legal Context
Under North Carolina law, first-degree murder carries a potential death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon also carries severe penalties, with potential sentences exceeding 20 years if convicted.
Court documents indicate that Mercado had prior criminal history, including violent offenses, though details have not yet been released publicly. Prosecutors said they will seek to consolidate the homicide charges for trial, given the similarities between the killings.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The investigation remains active, with police continuing to collect forensic evidence from both crime scenes and examine Mercado’s travel records. Authorities are also working to determine how the suspect knew the victims, if at all.
A preliminary hearing for Mercado is expected later this month in Mecklenburg County Court, where prosecutors are likely to pursue the death penalty given the multiple murder charges.
Conclusion
The arrest of Adam Mercado has brought partial closure to a series of gruesome killings that stunned North Carolina residents. As police prepare their case, prosecutors are promising to seek full justice for the victims — Gerald Barnes, Matthew Moody, and James Wallace — whose lives were violently taken in what officials describe as an unprovoked crime spree.
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