CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — The Charlotte community is mourning the death of Manuel De Jesus Martinez, 33, who was fatally shot early Sunday morning, September 6, 2026, on West Trade Street.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department identified Martinez as the victim after officers responded to a reported assault with a deadly weapon in the 700 block of West Trade Street shortly before 4 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found Martinez suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. MEDIC pronounced him dead at the scene.

His death is being investigated as a homicide.

Manuel De Jesus Martinez obituary details

What happened to Manuel De Jesus Martinez?

Police were called to the West Trade Street area shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday following a report involving an assault with a deadly weapon.

Officers discovered Martinez with an apparent gunshot wound when they arrived. Despite the emergency response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting happened in the Gateway Village area near Uptown Charlotte and close to the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte campus.

Investigators subsequently secured the area and began collecting evidence as they worked to establish what happened before the shooting.

Homicide investigation underway in Charlotte

CMPD’s Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into Martinez’s death.

Crime Scene Search personnel processed the scene and collected evidence. Police have not publicly established a motive for the shooting, and information about who was responsible remained limited as the investigation continued.

No arrest had been publicly announced in the available information at the time of publication.

Detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify the person or people responsible.

Police seek information after fatal shooting

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about the homicide to come forward.

People with information can contact CMPD’s Homicide Unit at 704-432-8477 (TIPS).

Anonymous information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Police are particularly interested in information that could help establish what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting and identify those responsible.

Community reacts to West Trade Street death

The fatal shooting occurred in an active part of Uptown Charlotte, where residents, workers and students were in the area at the time of the investigation.

The incident has brought renewed attention to public safety in the area, particularly because the shooting occurred near the Johnson & Wales University campus.

For Martinez’s family and those who knew him, the immediate priority is mourning a life that ended suddenly at the age of 33.

As investigators continue working the case, further information about Martinez’s life, funeral arrangements and the circumstances surrounding his death may become available.

Funeral and memorial arrangements

Funeral arrangements for Manuel De Jesus Martinez had not been publicly announced in the information available for this report.

Details concerning visitation, funeral services, burial and memorial tributes should be confirmed through his family or an official funeral announcement before publication.

Latest update

The death of Manuel De Jesus Martinez, 33, following an early-morning shooting on West Trade Street remains under investigation by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

Police have identified Martinez as the victim and are seeking information that could help solve the homicide. No motive or arrest had been publicly confirmed at the time of publication.

The investigation remains active, and additional details may be released as detectives continue their work.

Disclaimer

This obituary and news report is based on publicly available information concerning the death of Manuel De Jesus Martinez in Charlotte, North Carolina. Details may change as the homicide investigation progresses. Information about motive, suspects, arrests, funeral arrangements and other personal circumstances has not been presented as fact unless confirmed. This article may be updated as additional verified information becomes available.