The call came in at around 7:20 a.m. Police arrived with a medic at the intersection of Willilyn Lane and Huntwood Drive to find a man with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was later identified as 41 year-old Joshua Leland Cox, who was pronounced dead on the scene. The police quickly began the murder investigation.
In less than a week after the fatal shooting, Mecklenburg Police have identified the suspect as 46 year-old Robert Ward Alverson, a resident of Charlotte. He was arrested without incident on April 14, 2020, and charged with murder. Police could not determine the motive for the crime at this time, but said that they have an ongoing investigation on this case. His is currently awaiting trial.
Joshua Leland Cox left behind three young daughters. He took an interest in fishing, and is very skilled in operating heavy construction equipment. He is also a dog lover. His friends and family are planning a memorial of life ceremony to be held in the summer. Because of the diligent work of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, his murder will not go unpunished.
There had been 29 homicides in Charlotte City since January 1, 2020. According to an article by the Charlotte Observer, these homicide numbers are on track with the numbers reported from the year prior. In North Carolina, First Degree Murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or death by lethal injection. Second Degree Murder is punishable with a prison sentence of 125 months (around 10 years) to life. North Carolina is one of 20 states that have the death penalty, a possible punishment for the crime of murder.