Artist’s mural on wall of popular Charlotte sandwich shop honors slain co-owner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Less than two weeks ago, relatives of Scott Brooks said they planned to add a mural of him on the back of their NoDa sandwich house in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Now, the artwork is officially complete.

Two people tried to rob the 61-year-old co-owner of Brooks’ Sandwich Shop around 5 a.m. on Dec. 9 before shooting him to death outside his family business.

"I couldn’t even go to the funeral because it was too much for me,” Antoine Byers told WSOC. “So, I came by to look at it today.”

Byers said he was a customer and friend of Brooks for more than 20 years. He came by Friday because he wanted a glimpse of Brooks’ familiar face.

“He always cared for people and helped people out,” Byers told WSOC. “He was a kind man.”

An anonymous street artist who goes by the name “Stencil Spray” on Instagram created and displayed the same image for a month around North Davidson Street.

The Brooks family took notice and asked him to recreate it on the back of the building. The street artist then asked another artist, Jason Parker, for help to make sure he got it right.

“We both had cans in our hands that day. We just felt like we needed to do this,” Parker told WSOC.

To the left of the mural reads, “Too blessed to be stressed” -- a last-minute request from the family that captures the essence of Brooks.

“Apparently, that’s something he said all the time,” Parker explained. “They just kind of beamed when they saw the mural. It’s almost like Scott’s still with them; they can see him all the time.”

The image is a lasting reminder for those who loved Brooks, but the artists behind the project also want to make sure the person who shot and killed him is reminded of the life they cut short.

“We want to get this out and we want whoever this is (who shot him) to have to see Scott,” Parker said.

Police have not made any arrests in the case.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or the FBI at 704-672-6100.

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