A father broke into his ex's home to kill his young son, then went to Taco Bell.
Police arrested Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, 31, after finding his five-year-old son with multiple stab wounds in their North Carolina home.
Nothing hurts more than the people who are supposed to protect us causing the worst pain. A young boy's life was cut short in a place where he should have been safe in his bed.
What Happened
Police say a North Carolina man kicked down his ex-girlfriend's apartment door in Pineville just past midnight on Thursday.
He went straight to his 5-year-old son's bedroom and shut the door behind him.
The mother heard a loud noise, opened the door, and saw her ex run away. Inside, she found her young son bleeding from several deep cuts to his head, neck, and arms.
The mother called 911 right away. Police rushed the boy to the hospital in a patrol car, but doctors could not save him.
Officers soon found the father, 31-year-old Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, at a nearby Taco Bell and took him into custody.
Fact Box
- 1 child, aged 5, died from multiple stab wounds.
- 1 suspect, aged 31, was arrested at a Taco Bell.
- 3 previous assault cases are on the suspect's record.
- 0 dollars bond is set for the suspect's jail stay.
- July 30 is the next scheduled court date.
Why It Matters
This tragedy shows how domestic abuse can quickly turn deadly for the most helpless people involved. It raises questions about how the court system handles repeat offenders.
The suspect had already been accused of hitting women in the past, yet he was still free. Neighbors and families are left wondering if more could have been done to stop the violence before it reached a child.
What Happens Next
Echoles is now in jail in Mecklenburg County. He faces a first-degree murder charge and is being held with no bond.
He is scheduled to appear before a judge on July 30. State lawyers will lay out the evidence against him as the case moves toward a trial.
What We Still Don't Know
- What was the motive behind this attack on a young child?
- Were there active protective orders in place to keep the father away from the home?
- Why was the father free while facing multiple active assault charges?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 10, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
Spot an error or missing context? Email hi@kindjoe.com and we will review and correct if needed.
Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.