Full Breakdown
Charlotte Repeat Offender Charged with Murder Hours After Release
8/3/2026, 8:48:43 PM
Incident Overview
On July 29, David Simpson, 29, was released from the Mecklenburg County jail at 12:20 a.m. after posting a $10,000 bond on an unrelated weapons-possession charge. Less than two hours later, around 1:45 a.m., police say he opened fire at an east-Charlotte apartment complex, killing one man and wounding another who later required surgery. Surveillance video captured Simpson entering the building with a weighted black bag, firing two 7.62-caliber rifle shots, and fleeing on foot before driving away.
Offender Background
Court records show Simpson was previously charged with first-degree murder in a 2013 shooting but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2015, serving about five years before parole in 2020. Since then he has faced multiple arrests, including several for possession of a firearm by a felon, and entered 2024 with pending charges for firearm possession, resisting a public officer, and misdemeanor larceny.
Legal Actions
A Mecklenburg County judge ordered Simpson held without bond and charged him with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and possession of a firearm by a felon. His girlfriend, Shakema Scott, has been charged as an accessory after the fact. He is scheduled for a court appearance later in August.
Criticism of Release Policies
Legal analysts and local officials have questioned why a repeat violent offender remained free.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you look at his history, it seems like this gentleman has picked up just about every year up to this point some kind of a violent crime,” — Tim Cannady, charlotte defense attorney
- “We know what these top 1% of repeat offenders are going to do, and for some reason, we just don't have the appetite to take action,” — Tariq Bokhari
