Juvenile Charged For Role In Plaza Midwood Robbery Homicide

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte police have charged two males in connection with a robbery that left a 26-year-old victim dead Friday afternoon. One of the accused is a 15-year-old juvenile, according to police.

Police responded to a call that there had been an accident in the 1500 block of Wembley Drive shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, April 20 but instead found Eskinder Dawit Asefaw, 26, shot. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center with serious injuries.

Asefaw was later pronounced dead at the hospital as a result of the gunshot injuries.

By Monday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department detectives had identified and charged two suspects wanted in the case based upon evidence and information collected at the scene, CMPD said April 23.

Tavone Tyrik Smith, 17, and a 15-year-old juvenile who has not been named due to his age were located in a home and taken to CMPD headquarters for questioning.

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Smith was charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department.

The juvenile has also been charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was transported to juvenile detention facility, CMPD said.

CMPD asks that anyone with information about this case contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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