Mallard Creek coach identified as victim in fatal shooting in northeast Charlotte

A vigil is planned for Monday night for a Mallard Creek High School volunteer coach who was killed in a shooting in northeast Charlotte.

Ralph Hammond, 56, died after being shot multiple times shortly before 10 p.m. Friday at a home in the 12000 block of Deaton Hill Drive, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed Monday. That’s near the Highland Creek area.

Hammond was a “beloved part of the Mallard Creek High School community” as a volunteer coach, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said in a statement.

“Coach Ralph mentored many student athletes and his legacy will be long-lasting in the Creek community,” CMS said.

“Our volunteer coaches dedicate their valuable time and resources to working with student athletes and we cannot express the depth of our gratitude for the work they do,” district officials said in the statement.

Friends and family took to social media to remember Hammond as a mentor within the community.

Hammond let athletes to use his garage to lift weights and train, his family told Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC.

“He would go get them, he would bring them here, he would feed them. He would clothe them if they needed clothing, shoes, cleats, whatever they needed,” sister Debbie Hammond told WSOC.

A prayer vigil and balloon release is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallard Creek High School football field. Those attending are asked to bring white, gold, navy or cardinal balloons.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have not released information about a suspect or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“I want to tell that person that you took a grandfather, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and a father figure to so many kids,” sister Pamela Hammond told WSOC.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.