CHARLOTTE, NC — A DoorDash driver has been indicted on first-degree murder charges after fatally shooting a 15-year-old who allegedly attempted to steal his vehicle in Uptown Charlotte.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the incident occurred on January 22, 2025, in the 400 block of West 8th Street. Officers responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call just after 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered 15-year-old Matthias Crockett suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected shooter, 27-year-old Keshawn Boyd, was detained at the scene and later transported to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning. During the interview, Boyd reportedly told officers that Crockett had attempted to steal his car while he was making a delivery. Boyd was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
A Mecklenburg County grand jury formally indicted Boyd on February 6, and he remains in custody without bond. Boyd has no known prior criminal history, and his defense has argued that he acted in self-defense.
The Legal Limits of Defensive Force
This case highlights a critical distinction in self-defense law: you cannot use deadly force solely to protect property. In most states, including North Carolina, lethal force is justified only if there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to yourself or another person. Property crimes—such as theft or vehicle break-ins—do not meet this threshold.
Larry Hyatt, a gun store owner and firearms instructor in Charlotte, emphasized this legal principle:
“Self-protection is to protect our lives, not our cars or computers. Those are objects.”
While North Carolina does have Castle Doctrine protections, which allow the use of deadly force in a home, vehicle, or workplace under specific conditions, the occupant must reasonably believe their life is in danger. In this case, reports indicate that Boyd was outside his vehicle when he fired the shots.
We will be following this case closely as more details may emerge about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. This incident highlights the importance of understanding self-defense laws and the legal limits of using deadly force.
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