Arrest Made in 25-Year-Old Homicide Cold Case
Published on August 31, 2026
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, Aug. 31, 2026) – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Cold Case Unit identified Alan Marquis Phifer, 43, in connection to a homicide case that occurred back in March of 2001.
On Saturday, March 24, 2001, CMPD responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call for service in the 3700 block of North Sharon-Amity Road in the Hickory Grove Division.
Upon arrival officers located three victims suffering from gunshot wounds and two additional victims who were physically assaulted. One victim, Cesar Gudino Gonzalez, 21, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two additional victims suffering from gunshot wounds were transported to the hospital with non-life-threating injuries.
Homicide detectives responded to scene and began their investigation. Detectives continued to investigate for years before the case eventually went cold.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, the CMPD Cold Case Unit picked up the case and began their investigation.
On Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, Detectives received a lab report implicating Mr. Phifer’s involvement. Detectives continued to investigate this case by conducting interviews and additional lab tests.
This past Wednesday, Aug. 26, Cold Case detectives were granted arrest warrants for Mr. Phifer.
Monday, Aug. 31, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located and arrested Mr. Phifer.
Mr. Phifer is charged with the following:
- First Degree Murder
- Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon
The CMPD Cold Case Unit would like to thank VCAT, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Federal Grant, DNA Labs International and the CMPD Crime Lab for their assistance in this case.
The victim’s next of kin has been notified of this arrest.
With this arrest, the 2001 homicide clearance rate sits at 66 percent.
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Helms is the lead detective assigned to this case. The public can also leave information anonymously by calling Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers P3 Tips Mobile App, or by visiting the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20010324-0317-00.
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