A Charlotte mother’s plea for help ended in tragedy after she was gunned down just hours after calling 911 to report a woman pointing a gun at her.
Lashunda McLendon, a beloved mother and friend, lost her life in a senseless act of violence that has left her family demanding justice and accountability.
A Fatal Encounter
The incident began around 10 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, outside a convenience store in South Charlotte.
McLendon and Ebonee Makeesa Rhaman, 43, got into an argument that escalated quickly. Sensing danger, McLendon called 911 and told the dispatcher that Rhaman had pointed a gun at her.
Police responded to the scene and took Rhaman into custody. However, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office later released her, citing insufficient evidence to hold her.
A Tragic Turn
Hours after her release, surveillance footage captured a chilling sequence of events. Rhaman approached McLendon, removed her jacket, and tossed it on the ground.
The two women began to tussle, and about 30 seconds later, Rhaman walked toward a nearby foodmart, where she met an unidentified man. She retrieved a handgun from his jacket, returned to McLendon, and shot her. Rhaman then picked up her jacket, walked to her vehicle, and fled the scene.
“I saw some form of discussion, and then they calmed down, and then we heard a gunshot,” said Paula Gonzales, who was working at a food truck nearby.
A Family’s Anguish
McLendon’s family is devastated by her loss and outraged that the man who provided the gun remains at large. “The person who had the gun is still out there, and that’s not right,” McLendon’s family told Channel 9.
“There’s no closure because, if it was just her, there would be closure, but with him still out there, there is no closure,” said Latara Rushing, McLendon’s daughter.
Calls for Justice
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the shooting and has charged Rhaman with murder. However, McLendon’s family is urging authorities to also hold the unidentified man accountable for his role in the tragedy.
“She called for help, and the system failed her,” said a family spokesperson. “We need justice for Lashunda and for everyone who loved her.”
A Community in Mourning
Lashunda McLendon’s death has left a void in the lives of her children, friends, and the Charlotte community.
As her family seeks answers and accountability, they are also remembering McLendon as a loving mother and a pillar of strength.
“She was always there for us, no matter what,” Rushing said. “We just want the people responsible to pay for what they did.”
A GoFundMe set up by her family to help with her funeral arrangements has exceeded its $2,500 target.
