PINEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina father has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities say his 5-year-old son was fatally stabbed inside a Pineville apartment early Thursday morning in a tragedy that has shocked the local community.
According to the Pineville Police Department, officers responded shortly after 12 a.m. on July 9 to the Sabal Point Apartments in the 12600 block of South Polk Street after receiving a frantic 911 call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon.
When officers arrived, they found the young boy unresponsive with multiple stab wounds.
Police immediately began lifesaving measures before transporting the child to a nearby hospital in a patrol vehicle due to the critical nature of his injuries. Despite those efforts, the boy later died at the hospital.
Father Arrested and Charged With First-Degree Murder
Investigators identified the child’s father, Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, 31, as the primary suspect in the fatal attack.
Echoles was arrested at a separate location and transported to the Mecklenburg County Intake Center, where he was booked on a charge of first-degree murder.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Another Child Inside Apartment Was Not Injured
Police confirmed that another child was inside the apartment during the incident but was not physically harmed.
Officials said the children’s mother was present when the stabbing occurred and has been cooperating fully with investigators.
Search warrants were executed for the apartment and several vehicles as detectives continued gathering evidence.
Police Chief Calls Incident “Very Tragic”
Pineville Police Chief Corey Copley described the case as heartbreaking and praised responding officers for acting immediately to try to save the child’s life.
Officers reached the apartment within moments of receiving the emergency call and began emergency medical treatment before rushing the boy to the hospital.
“It’s very tragic,” Copley said, adding that officers had to focus on saving the child’s life despite the emotional circumstances they encountered upon arrival.
Prior Domestic Assault Case
Court records indicate Echoles previously faced an assault-related charge in Mecklenburg County earlier this year.
In March, he was charged with assault on a female after allegedly throwing car keys that struck a woman and caused a minor facial injury. The earlier charge is separate from the current homicide investigation.
Police also confirmed officers had previously responded to an incident involving the same family earlier this year, though officials have not disclosed whether that call is connected to Thursday’s fatal stabbing.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not publicly identified the 5-year-old victim, and investigators have not released additional information about the weapon allegedly used in the attack.
Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Pineville Police Department.
The investigation remains active, and additional charges or court proceedings may follow as detectives continue to gather evidence.
