Tragic Shooting in Charlotte Claims Life of 23-Year-Old Puerto Rican Javier Lee Martinez Hernandez; Community Mourns Loss as Police Launch Investigation into Fatal Eastway Drive Incident
The city of Charlotte is mourning the tragic loss of 23-year-old Javier Lee Martinez Hernandez, a young man originally from Puerto Rico, who was fatally shot in the early morning hours of Sunday in the 200 block of Eastway Drive. The fatal shooting has not only devastated his family and loved ones but also reignited concerns over increasing gun violence in the area.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 2:30 a.m. reporting gunshots near a small shopping plaza on Eastway Drive. Upon arrival, police discovered Martinez Hernandez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics administered emergency medical aid and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators believe that an altercation occurred in the parking lot moments before shots were fired, though the motive remains unclear. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is currently being reviewed, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. No suspects have been arrested at this time.
Martinez Hernandez had recently relocated to Charlotte from Puerto Rico in search of better opportunities and a fresh start. He was described by those who knew him as compassionate, hardworking, and full of ambition. He had dreams of becoming a business owner and was working two jobs while preparing to enroll in community college classes this fall.
“Javier was the kind of person who always wanted to lift others up,” said his cousin, Carla Rivera. “He had a big heart, and he loved his family deeply. This senseless act of violence took someone truly special from us.”
Family members in both Puerto Rico and North Carolina are now grappling with the sudden loss. A GoFundMe page has been created to help raise funds for funeral expenses and to transport Javier’s body back to his hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico, where his parents reside.
The shooting has also drawn attention from local community organizations advocating for stronger measures against gun violence. “We’ve seen too many young people lost to gunfire in this city,” said a representative from Charlotte Against Violence. “This tragedy should be a wake-up call for all of us.”
A candlelight vigil in memory of Javier Lee Martinez Hernandez is planned for Wednesday evening at Eastway Park. The public is invited to attend and stand in solidarity with the family.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is asking anyone with tips or information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the CMPD website.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to grieve a promising life cut far too short — and to demand justice for Javier.