Charlotte Murder Suspect Captured in Rutherford County After Teen’s Killing

A man charged in the killing of a Charlotte teenager was captured in Rutherford County after investigators tracked him to the small community of Bostic, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

CMPD announced Thursday that 28-year-old Taquawn Tykeem Lewis was arrested without incident by the department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team with assistance from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Lewis is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Joseph Samuel in north Charlotte.

Investigators said Samuel was shot shortly after 2:30 p.m. on May 19 near the intersection of Tom Hunter Road and North Tryon Street. Officers responding to the scene found the teen suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

CMPD said detectives identified Lewis through surveillance footage and investigative leads before locating him west of Charlotte in Rutherford County.

Court records show Lewis previously served prison time after pleading guilty in 2019 to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. Authorities said he was sentenced to between 73 and 100 months in prison.

Samuel was identified by Union County Public Schools as a student at Sun Valley High School.

According to arrest warrants, a witness told investigators the suspect approached Samuel on foot, removed a rifle from a backpack and opened fire before fleeing the area. Court documents also allege Samuel was pistol-whipped during the attack.

Lewis was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office following his arrest in Bostic. Court records show he appeared in Mecklenburg District Court on Friday, where a judge ordered him held without bond and appointed a public defender.

The investigation remains ongoing. CMPD is asking anyone with information to contact homicide detectives or submit anonymous tips through Charlotte Crime Stoppers.