Charlotte Man Charged With Murder Hours After Posting Bond on Separate Weapons Charge

David Simpson, 29, faces first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges stemming from a July 29 shooting at an east Charlotte apartment complex. The shooting occurred approximately 90 minutes after Simpson posted a $10,000 bond and was released from Mecklenburg County Jail at 12:20 a.m. on an unrelated weapon possession charge. A judge ordered Simpson held without bond following his arrest.

Police say the incident began with a dispute over a parking space outside the complex and followed two earlier police calls that same evening involving arguments between the victims and residents. Surveillance footage obtained by investigators shows Simpson emerging from his apartment with a weighted black bag before running toward the victims’ vehicle. Officers recovered two spent 7.62-caliber rifle casings at the scene after gunshots were fired approximately 10 minutes later.

One victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the second victim reached an apartment before collapsing and underwent surgery. Simpson is also charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon. His girlfriend, Shakema Scott, faces charges of accessory after the fact.

Court records reveal Simpson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2015 following a first-degree murder charge in a 2013 fatal shooting. He served approximately five years in prison before his 2020 parole release and has since been arrested multiple times on firearm possession charges and other offenses. Simpson had pending charges this year for firearm possession by a felon, resisting a public officer, and misdemeanor larceny.

Local legal experts and former officials questioned the decision to release Simpson given his violent criminal history. Defense attorney Tim Cannady told reporters that Simpson’s arrest record shows consistent violent crimes year after year, prompting scrutiny over his continued freedom. Former Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari expressed similar concerns, noting that authorities understand the behavior patterns of repeat violent offenders yet fail to take preventive action.

Simpson refused to leave his jail cell during his initial Friday court appearance, forcing a rescheduled hearing for later that afternoon. He is scheduled to return to court on August 21.