For nearly four decades, Roosevelt Hinton was a well-known and beloved figure on the west side of Charlotte, North Carolina. The 68-year-old African-American man owned and operated the Get-A-Way Lounge, a weathered gray building on Wilkinson Boulevard that he had transformed into a place of life and laughter. To his patrons and friends, Hinton was more than a bar owner; he was a therapist, a big brother, and a generous soul who would give to anyone who asked. His son, Jimmy, remembered him as a good father who, while not perfect, always provided for his family, ensuring they had clothes, a roof over their heads, and food to eat. His wife, Ernestine, recalled his larger-than-life personality and his faith, which brought joy to all who knew him. Hinton was also a patriotic man, displaying signs outside his lounge that urged people to "Stand By Our Troops."
The afternoon of Thursday, October 28, 2010, began like any other for Hinton.
He had opened his lounge early, preparing for a beer delivery. Around 1:58 p.m., a delivery driver for Bealer Wholesale was arriving at the Get-A-Way Lounge when he saw a man walking out of the front door. The man, who appeared to be drinking a beer, got into a dark-colored coupe and drove off down Wilkinson Boulevard toward Gaston County. When the delivery driver went inside to make his delivery, he made a devastating discovery. He found Roosevelt Hinton lying on the floor, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Paramedics were called, but Hinton was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) launched a homicide investigation. Detectives determined that a small amount of money was missing from the cash register, leading them to believe the motive was robbery. The witness described the man he saw leaving as a Black male, about 5-foot-10 with a medium build. The most distinctive clue was the getaway vehicle: a faded black, two-door, late 1990s or early 2000s Honda coupe. Scratched into the passenger-side rear quarter panel were the jarring words, “F--- the War.” Investigators believed this unique and vulgar marking would be a key to solving the case, as someone in the community must have seen the car or known its owner.
Detectives explored other possibilities, including an act of revenge. Nine months earlier, in January 2010, Hinton had been involved in a shooting at his lounge. After a man who had been kicked out returned and began shooting, Hinton fired back in self-defense, seriously injuring the man. However, police quickly determined that the man Hinton had shot was in jail at the time of the murder, ruling him out as a suspect. Despite collecting physical evidence, including DNA from items that only Hinton or the killer would have touched, the case grew cold. The Get-A-Way Lounge was locked up shortly after the murder, a painful reminder of the friend who was no longer there.
Years passed, but the pain for Hinton's family and friends remained raw. His friend Norman Craig recalled the day of the murder as "a real tough day on everybody" and was haunted by the question of why anyone would harm such a generous man. Hinton's wife, Ernestine, expressed her deep need for closure and the fear that lingered even years later. His son Jimmy said the police never stopped looking, and he held onto the hope that one day, justice would be served.
As of April 2023, the case remains an active investigation with the CMPD Cold Case Division. Detectives have resubmitted DNA evidence for analysis with newer technology, hoping for a breakthrough. They continue to emphasize the importance of the unique getaway car, believing someone has information that could finally solve the case. Detective Matt Hefner noted the thorough work of the original investigators, giving the current team hope that the evidence they collected will one day lead to an arrest.
The murder of Roosevelt Hinton left a void in his community and a wound in the hearts of his loved ones that has never fully healed. His family remains grateful for the police department's persistent efforts to find his killer. A reward of up to $5,000 is available for information leading to an arrest. Investigators urge anyone who knows something about the man seen leaving the lounge or the distinctive Honda with the vulgar writing to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 704-432-TIPS or Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
