A 30-year-old man with an extensive criminal history has been charged with murder in connection with the September killing of a Charlotte resident who was fatally shot while riding an ATV.
Nicholson is the second suspect apprehended in the case that has drawn attention to repeat offender policies in the city. Nicholson has been arrested 33 times previously.
Officers initially responded to a welfare check call in the 4100 block of Hyde Park Drive shortly after 6:30 a.m., where they found Blount unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Williams and Nicholson face identical charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Local media reported that Williams, Nicholson, and Blount had been out at late-night bars with an unidentified woman on the evening before the shooting. Williams and Nicholson were driving in a vehicle with the woman, while Blount rode separately on his ATV without a shirt.
Lawmaker Criticizes City Over Crime
Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) highlighted Nicholson's criminal background in an Oct. 9 social media post, stating the suspect "has been arrested 33 TIMES—including 2 attempted murder charges just 13 days apart."Harris questioned why Nicholson remained free to commit additional crimes.
The city's crime issues earlier attracted national attention following the unprovoked killing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, on the city’s light rail system in August, allegedly by DeCarlos Brown Jr., who has a lengthy violent criminal history.
In response, North Carolina lawmakers approved a major criminal justice bill called “Iryna’s Law.” The bill passed the House on Sept. 23 with an 81–31 vote. The law aims to make the justice system tougher on crime.
A spokesperson for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not return a request for comment from NTD News prior to publication about Nicholson's arrest.