MONROE, N.C. — Monroe Police said a suspect connected to a double homicide in Monroe is the same man responsible for another killing in north Charlotte.
Adam Latif Mercado, 34, of Monroe, killed two men at an apartment complex in Nelda Drive in Monroe, authorities said.
Mercado stole one of the victim’s cars and drove it to a Plaza Midwood warehouse where he killed someone else, Monroe police said.
Police in Charlotte said they found Gerald Thomas Barnes, 68, in the warehouse on Central Avenue at about 10 p.m. Thursday. The death was trauma-related.
Surveillance video showed Mercado walk up to Barnes at about 2 p.m. that day and show him something in a bookbag. The video showed Mercado stabbing Barnes multiple times before stealing his wallet and car.
“Thomas Barnes was an amazing individual, very caring, loving, truly,” said Greg Godley, a friend of Barnes. “One of the greatest people I’ve ever known. He will absolutely be missed. This was a senseless, random killing.”
Godley, who shared the warehouse space with Barnes, described their recent conversation about the partnership at the building.
“He said he was extremely excited about the partnership at this building and he really enjoyed meeting all of our volunteers,” Godley recalled.
Barnes’ family expressed their devastation and frustration, believing that the system failed them by allowing Mercado, who has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2009, to remain free.
Neighbors in Monroe were shocked by the murders of Moody and Wallace. “I think pretty much everybody stays to themselves, so this is overwhelming, a shock to I would imagine everyone,” said Jeff Gerber, a neighbor.
After that, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department contacted Monroe Police because of the stolen car that was recovered, so they could conduct a welfare check at the apartments.
When police arrived a couple hours later, they found Matthew Charles Moody, 52, and James Curtis Wallace, 49, dead inside a first-floor Monroe apartment.
Mercado was taken into custody in Anson County and transferred to Mecklenburg county to be charged.
Investigators in Monroe said there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment.
Their cause of death was not released.
Channel 9 spoke with neighbors at the Monroe apartments who say they woke up to see police lights and crime scene tape. Many are still trying to process what happened.
“Pretty much everyone stays to themselves, so this is overwhelmingly a shock to, I would imagine, everyone,” resident Jeff Gerber said.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
VIDEO: Police investigating double homicide in north Charlotte
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