Wilmington man facing murder charge after investigation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man was charged with murder after an investigation of a death that happened on Friday.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, Michael Hardy, 42, was arrested after the police responded to a weapons incident early Saturday morning. It happened at the 100 block of Dock Street.

He was in possession of a firearm and more than a dozen bags of crack cocaine. He was initially charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and PWIMSD Schedule II controlled substance, among other charges.

After an investigation, Hardy has also been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 66-year-old Ernest Simpson. Mr. Simpson was found late Friday night on East Lake Shore Drive.