A man with a prior homicide record was charged with killing one person and seriously injuring another less than two hours after being released from a Mecklenburg County jail in North Carolina, authorities said.
David Simpson, 29, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
A judge ordered him to remain detained without bail while the judicial process continues.
The shooting occurred less than two hours after his release.
Court records cited by local media indicate that Simpson left the Mecklenburg County Jail at 12:20 a.m. on July 29, after posting $10,000 bail for an unrelated case of possession of a weapon by an inmate.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m., less than two hours after his release.
As a result of the attack, one man died at the scene and a second victim managed to enter an apartment before collapsing. She later underwent surgery due to the severity of her injuries.
The dispute began over a parking space.
Authorities said the shooting occurred after a prolonged dispute over a parking spot at an east Charlotte apartment complex.
The agents had responded twice that same night due to arguments between residents and the victims over the use of the parking lot.
According to court documents, surveillance camera images show Simpson with his girlfriend when the victims' truck passed in front of the building.
Investigators maintain that the defendant entered his apartment and shortly after came out carrying a black bag with weight inside before running towards the victims.
Approximately ten minutes later two shots were heard. Half a minute later, cameras recorded Simpson returning to his apartment while handling the bag, before leaving the scene in a vehicle.
Two shell casings from a 7.62 caliber rifle were recovered at the scene.
The accused had already been convicted of murder
Court records show Simpson was charged with first-degree murder for a 2013 homicide.
However, in 2015 he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and served approximately five years in prison before being paroled in 2020.
Since then he has been rearrested on several occasions, including multiple charges of illegal possession of firearms as a person previously convicted of a serious crime.
He also faced pending proceedings this year for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest and petty theft.
Defendant's girlfriend also faces charges
Authorities reported that Simpson's girlfriend, identified as Shakema Scott, was charged as an accessory after the fact.
Furthermore, the defendant initially refused to leave his cell to attend his first court appearance, forcing the hearing to be postponed until a judge ordered his presence later that same day.
Simpson must return to court on August 21, while investigations into the case continue.
