Homicide Investigation in the Freedom Division

Published on July 23, 2026

Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, July 22, 2026) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 1000 block of Lewiston Avenue in the Freedom Division.

On July 14, 2026, shortly before 2 a.m., officers responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Injury call for service. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive juvenile in the roadway who had sustained gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Freedom Division detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence.

As a result of the continued investigation, detectives were able to identify Tabius Joseph, 17, Juandriqus Dempsey, 17 and a 15-year-old male juvenile as suspects in this case.

Arrest warrants were obtained for Joseph and Dempsey for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Seriously Injure, Felony Conspiracy and Injury to Real Property. A secure custody order was obtained against the 15-year-old suspect.

On July 15, CMPD’s Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment (JADE) team located and arrested Tabius Joseph. On July 22, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located and arrested Dempsey and the 15-year-old suspect.

Joseph and Dempsey were transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the 15-year-old suspect was transferred to a Juvenile Detention Center in Cabarrus County at the conclusion of their interviews.

The victim in this case was identified as Kamarhy Sanders-Livingston, 14. On July 22, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Homicide detectives were contacted and became involved in the investigation. On July 23, homicide detectives obtained additional arrest warrants charging all three suspects with Murder.

The victim’s next of kin has been notified of his passing and these arrests.

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 Buhr 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: 20260714-0153-01.

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