Hope for Swift Justice

Police Arrest Suspect in Officer Shootings
April 1, 2007
(CMPD Press Release)

Since late Saturday night, police have been trying to piece together the tragic chain of events that led to the line of duty deaths of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officers Jeffrey Shelton and Sean Clark. Throughout the day, detectives have been interviewing scores of witnesses, teams of officers have been out collecting evidence while those close to the slain officers provide essential support to the officers' family members and each other.

CMPD Homicide Detectives have interviewed and subsequently signed Murder warrants against Demetrius Antonio Montgomery (12-20-1981). He has been charged with two counts of First Degree Murder. Montgomery has a lengthy arrest history in Mecklenburg County, dating back to January of 1998.

This is an on-going criminal investigation. If you have information regarding this case please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.


Demetrius Montgomery




Officers Clark and Shelton Two Of CMPD's Finest

The officers responded to a disturbance call at 10:26 PM at the Timber Ridge Apartments near Milton Road. The officers were both shot around 11:15 while struggling with a suspect in that parking lot.

Officer Sean Clark, 34, was hired January 23, 2006 as part of the 148th Recruit Class. He was a 1991 graduate of West Mecklenburg High School. Officer Jeffrey Shelton, 35, was hired February 28, 2001 and graduated with the 136th Recruit Class.

Officers close to Jeff Shelton, like Detective Steve Ladd, remember him as an honorable guy who was quick with a joke or smile. A fit former Marine who could run faster than most, Officer Gabe Chickoree says Officer Shelton was "intense" and "full of energy", a guy who had "no slow nights" because he always wanted to work, to be a police officer. Shelton had served in the Air Force before joining the CMPD.

Officer A.E. Hall, a classmate of Officer Clark's from Recruit Class #148, calls him a "quiet warrior", a "natural leader" who always had a good word to say, even on a tough day. "I will remember him smiling," said Officer W.C. Flowers. "He waited such a long time to be an officer, he wanted it so bad and he was so proud. He was always studying." "I was one of the slowest runners in the class," said Officer F. Delano. "Sean would put his hand on my back, push me along and encourage me."

Please keep the officers, their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be announced as soon as plans are finalized.

The men and women of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are grateful for the outpouring of condolences from members of the community. People who would like to share thoughts and prayers with the families of the two officers can log on to http://cyausa.com/. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Police Benevolent Fund in c/o Greg Crystal or the FOP Foundation in c/o Sgt. Randy Hagler. Both can be mailed to:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
601 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202