Police on Wednesday released surveillance images they say show a suspect in the Dec. 9 killing of Charlotte restaurant owner Scott Brooks.
Brooks, 61, who co-owned Brooks' Sandwich House in NoDa, was shot and killed about 5 a.m. that day as he was opening the cash-only restaurant. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the shooting likely happened during an attempted armed robbery and that they are looking for two men.
On Wednesday, CMPD shared images they believe show one of the suspects just before the shooting. According to the department, there's a $21,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Police also released a video showing the suspect.
Police said both suspects had their faces covered and were seen running away from a nearby LYNX light rail station. CMPD said the suspects likely knew the area well.
The homicide drew a lot of attention even amid a particularly deadly year for Charlotte. Last year, there were 108 homicides — nearly double the amount in 2018 and the highest number since 1993. Brooks' slaying also prompted an outpouring of support from nearby community members and businesses.
The restaurant — and the Brooks family — are well known in Charlotte.
"The support that we receive gets us through the grief every day," David Brooks, Scott's twin, said Wednesday during a CMPD news conference. "It’s not easy. It’s not easy. He was my twin brother. And I just hope that this little bit of evidence, and what we’re doing today is going to help find and convict someone. We can’t bring him back, but maybe bring a little bit of justice, to not only us, but to the community too.”
Police ask anyone with information that can help them to call 704-432-8477.