Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Detectives are conducting a homicide investigation at 2235 The Plaza, in the Eastway Division. The victim has been identified as Stephen Morris Hill.
Shortly before 1:00 a.m., on August 9, 2009, Eastway Division officers responded to a 911 call in reference to one person shot. When officers arrived on scene, they found the victim lying on the ground in the parking lot of the Citgo gas station suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. A female in the company of the victim was left unharmed.
Based on statements gathered during the preliminary investigation, detectives believe that the victim was standing in line outside the store waiting to make a purchase. This Citgo has a sliding window to make purchases at night; no one is allowed inside the store.
While the victim was in line, the suspect pulled his vehicle into the parking lot. A brief argument ensued, culminating in the suspect shooting the victim.
The suspect then returned to his vehicle and left the scene. The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a baggy white t-shirt and blue jeans with a white towel around his neck; a black female wearing a long yellow top was with the suspect at the time of the shooting.
Detectives with the Homicide Unit, ADW Unit and the CMPD/ATF Violent Crime Task Force are on scene conducting the investigation. Crime Scene Search is on scene as well, photographing the scene and collecting physical evidence.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. Detective D. Osorio is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.