PINEVILLE — A 31-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder after police say he forced his way into an apartment early Thursday and fatally stabbed his 5-year-old son.
Police response and arrest
Officers with the Pineville Police Department responded shortly after midnight to the Sabal Point Apartments on a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. First responders found the child with multiple stab wounds. Officers provided emergency aid at the scene and transported the boy to a hospital in a patrol vehicle, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.
The suspect, identified in court filings as Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, was located and taken into custody at a nearby Taco Bell, the department said. Echoles is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail without bond. His next court date is set for July 30.
Allegations and background
According to an arrest affidavit, Echoles kicked in the apartment door, entered the child’s bedroom and closed the door behind him. The boy’s mother — the suspect’s former partner — told investigators she heard a disturbance, opened the bedroom door and discovered her son bleeding and unresponsive. She and another child in the apartment were not physically injured, police said.
County prosecutors classified the incident as domestic in nature, not a random attack. Investigators have not released a motive.
Public records and the arrest affidavit indicate Echoles has a criminal history including an October 2020 conviction in North Carolina for assault on a woman, and multiple assault-related cases currently pending. Local authorities said he faces additional allegations this year, including two separate accusations of assaults on women.
Local impact and safety considerations
The killing of a young child in Pineville raises immediate concerns for neighbors and county officials about domestic violence and repeat offenders. Mecklenburg County law enforcement and social services routinely flag cases where prior domestic assaults may escalate, and this case is likely to prompt renewed attention to how those prior incidents are tracked and prosecuted.
- Location: Sabal Point Apartments, Pineville (Mecklenburg County)
- Victim: 5-year-old boy (name not released)
- Suspect: Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, 31 — charged with first-degree murder
- Custody status: Held without bond at Mecklenburg County Jail; court date July 30
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time of incident | Shortly after midnight Thursday |
| Arrest location | Nearby Taco Bell |
| Charge | First-degree murder |
Officials did not immediately release the names of the victims. Investigators continue to interview witnesses and gather evidence. The Pineville Police Department has not provided further comment beyond the arrest and basic incident description.
This case underscores broader concerns in Mecklenburg County about repeat domestic violence offenders and the systems used to protect victims. Residents with information are encouraged to contact local law enforcement offices as the investigation proceeds.
