Murder-suicide investigated at site of officer shooting

By: Kate Gaier

CHARLOTTE -- Police on Friday were out at the Timber Ridge apartments in east Charlotte, the site of a fatal shooting that left two officers dead two years ago, but this time the investigation was an apparent domestic violence case that turned into a murder-suicide.

Police say 21-year-old Yumeka Caldwell called 911 early Friday morning for help, saying her boyfriend, Antonio Phifer, threatened to kill her over the phone.

"We did have contact with the victim,” said CMPD Capt. Johnny Jennings. “After that, they did make some further investigations as far as the suspect is concerned in search of that suspect."

Caldwell told police she saw Phifer leave in a car. Officers found that vehicle, but Phifer wasn't there.

“While we were doing another version, part of that investigation which took us off the premises, we did receive other calls that brought us back here," Jenning said.

Neighbors called police to report Phifer kicking down Caldwell's door. Minutes later, they heard gunshots, and when police returned, both Caldwell and Phifer were dead.

Inmate records show Phifer had a lengthy criminal record from assaulting a woman to assault with a deadly weapon.

"We don't want to see it get to this point and we understand that you can't always leave, but let us help you figure it out and set up a safety plan," Mike Sexton, of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Council, said in a plea to women who might be involved in a dangerous relationship.

Police say there is a history of domestic violence between the two. Crime mapping shows 12 domestic disturbance calls in the past month within 1,000 feet of Caldwell's apartment.

"It's just tragic that it gets to this point,” said Sexton. “It appears to be another classic situation where we want to talk to people about setting up safety planning."

Police say two small children were in the apartment at the time of the shooting but we're told they are staying with family.

The incident took place at the same apartment complex where CMPD officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were shot and killed in 2007 while responding to a domestic disturbance call.

The Domestic Violence Advocacy Council will march on the Square in uptown Charlotte next Thursday to mark Caldwell's death, the sixth domestic violence related homicide in Mecklenburg County this year.