New suspect charged in murder of Asiah Figueroa in Charlotte, NC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte has decided to use this mug shot due to the nature of the alleged crime and the ongoing case.

A fourth suspect is now accused of playing a role in the shooting death of three-year-old Asiah Figueroa in Charlotte in September 2021.

On Wednesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said 25-year-old Datonio Stephens was taken into custody on Friday, September 20, 2024. Stephens was arrested with the assistance of the FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.

Stephens is now charged with murder, eight counts of attempted murder, nine counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling and conspiracy to commit murder. According to CMPD, Asiah Figeuroa's family members have been notified of the arrest.

The arrest came more than three years after police said 150 shots were fired at the northwest Charlotte home where Figueroa lived during a drive-by shooting. Figueroa's older sister, who was just four years old at the time, was grazed by a bullet and survived.

Just days after the shooting, CMPD made the first arrest in the case. Qua'Tonio Stephens, 21, was arrested after a chase that ended on I-85 near Glenwood Drive. He was charged with several charges: aiding and abetting murder, eluding voluntary manslaughter, seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and three counts of shooting in an occupied structure.

The second arrest took place less than a week later: Jacob Lanier, also 21, was charged with a similar offense to that brought today against Datonio Stephens.

A third suspect, 21-year-old Kaleb Lawrence, was arrested soon after. He turned himself in and was charged with first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, nine counts of discharging a firearm into an inhabited property, fleeing/eluding arrest in a motor vehicle, and reckless driving with willful and wanton disregard.

As of January 2024, the CMPD is still looking for another suspect: Bryce Felder, age 21. He remains wanted for murder and was considered armed and dangerous when the CMPD first asked the public for help in locating him.

Anyone with information on Felder's whereabouts is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Witnesses can also call 704-432-TIPS to speak anonymously with homicide detectives.

Note: WCNC adopted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or publication of mug shots.

WCNC will only broadcast or publish a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in some other cases. Exceptions include: When it appears the person may pose a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to distinguish between people who share a common name; when the photos might encourage more victims to come forward. Newsroom management may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the public interest in the crime and the criminal proceedings that follow.

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