CMPD Eastway Division officers responded to 3325 Erskine Drive to investigate the report of an unresponsive male collapsed on the front porch. When officers arrived on scene, they found a male subject suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Mr. Staten was pronounced deceased on scene.
Officers immediately notified Homicide Detectives and secured the crime scene. Based upon initial witness statements, Mr. Staten was involved in a physical altercation with another male subject in the parking lot area of the nearby Creekside Retreat Apartments. After the physical altercation ended, a witness heard at least one gunshot and saw Mr. Staten running away from the apartment complex towards Erskine Drive.
CMPD Homicide Unit Detectives are currently canvassing the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhood to identify any possible witnesses. As additional information develops in this case, I will update this post. Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Burkard is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. This is Charlotte's 19th homicide in 2011.