UPDATE: Arnold Jerard Thomas was arrested this morning in Columbia, SC, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) without incident. The extradition process will begin immediately, but there is no current timetable on Thomas’ return to Mecklenburg County.
Additionally, it was determined that Arnold Jerard Thomas and Dantonio Gerrick Hamilton were known acquaintances, and that this incident was not a random act of violence.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation at 2520 Lanecrest Drive in the North Tryon division. The call for service came in at 3:32am, on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The victim has been identified as Dantonio Gerrick Hamilton.
North Tryon patrol officers responded to an A/D/W call in reference to a subject shot in an apartment complex parking lot. When officers arrived on scene, they located a male subject in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased by Medic at 3:43am.
According to witnesses the suspect is described as a black male with short dreadlocks wearing a black t-shirt and jean shorts. He was last seen fleeing towards Barringer Road. The K-9 Unit responded and attempted to track the suspect. Patrol units circulated the area but officers have been unable to locate the suspect at this time.
Detectives with the Homicide Unit are canvassing the neighborhood to determine whether there are any witnesses to this incident. The investigation is in its early stages. As additional information develops, it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.
Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team as well as the Vice and Gang Unit responded to the scene.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Osorio is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
