North Carolina Pair Accused of Killing Sandwich Shop Owner for $100 Now Linked to Double Murder Weeks Later, Prosecutors Say
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — Prosecutors say two North Carolina men accused of robbing and murdering a beloved sandwich shop owner for just $100 are now also tied to a double killing that happened only weeks later. Court testimony this week has revealed a much wider pattern of violence than originally known.
Beloved Shop Owner Shot Dead for $100 in Early Morning Ambush
Authorities allege Terry Connor Jr. and Steven Staples approached 61-year-old Scott Brooks on Dec. 19, 2019 as he arrived to open Brooks Sandwich House, a well-known Charlotte landmark owned by the Brooks family since 1973.
Investigators say the men, wearing hooded sweatshirts and armed with guns, forced Brooks to hand over $100 from his wallet.
Surveillance video allegedly showed Brooks trying to defend himself.
He fired his own weapon, but prosecutors say the suspects returned fire, fatally shooting him.
Brooks was widely loved in the community, known for treating customers like family. His obituary described him as someone who “made friends easily and cherished the diverse people he met at the shop.”
Prosecutors Reveal a New Connection: A Double Murder Weeks Later
During this week’s trial, prosecutors dropped a major development:
Connor and Staples are believed to be tied to another killing, one that happened just 23 days after Brooks’s death.
On Jan. 11, 2020, Siojvon Joseph and Asa Shannon, both 35, were found shot to death inside a vehicle that had rolled down an embankment in Charlotte.
Investigators say these murders may involve Staples and Everette Connor, Terry Connor’s brother — suggesting a violent spree involving the same small group of men.
Prosecutors highlighted the connection in court through evidence gathered near the second crime scene.
A search of a nearby home turned up:
- Hidden cellphones
- Weapons
- A ransacked interior
- Food scattered throughout
Authorities believe the location was used by the suspects and may help tie both cases together.
Defense Claims Innocence, But Investigators Stand Firm
Both Connor and Staples have pleaded not guilty to killing Brooks.
However, prosecutors argue the evidence paints a clear picture of coordinated violence.
A source familiar with the investigation described the pattern as a “trail of escalating brutality” committed across Charlotte in a short period of time.
Prosecutors are expected to rest their case next week, while the double murder involving Joseph and Shannon remains pending in a separate investigation.
Community Still Mourning a Man Who Fed the City
Brooks’ killing sent shockwaves across Charlotte.
The sandwich shop, founded by his father in 1973, had been a neighborhood anchor for decades. His obituary noted:
“Our family will cherish the stories and memories shared by customers about the diverse people he encountered at the shop.”
Locals continue to honor his legacy while awaiting justice in a case that now appears deeper and darker than first imagined.
As Charlotte continues to grapple with the shocking unraveling of these cases, the community is demanding justice for both Scott Brooks and the two additional victims now tied to the suspects. For the latest updates on major crime stories and developing investigations, stay connected with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.