Man who died in Wake Forest stabbing was 'good person,' friend says

A 21-year-old man died early Saturday after being stabbed in a parking lot on Ligon Mill Road in Wake Forest, police said.

According to investigators, Edgar Hardison was stabbed at about 12:30 a.m. in front of a business plaza at 10501 Ligon Mill Road. He was taken to WakeMed, where he later died. No arrests have been made in the case.

The plaza where he died includes a gym and is across the street from a police substation.

"I don't understand that at all, but it's pretty scary," gym member Mark Applegate said after learning about the killing. "It's right here, and there's a Wake Forest police department 100 yards from here. That doesn't set well."

Gerard Doughty, who leads a basketball ministry at Celebration Church on Capital Boulevard, met Hardison when Hardison was 17 years old. Doughty recalled him as a talented basketball player who showed up almost every Saturday to participate.

"I immediately saw that he had some basketball skill, but after tryouts I realized he was a good kid, too," he said. "I could tell he had an inner glow inside of him. He was a really good person. He always cared about other people. He cared about fairness on the court."

Doughty said he last saw Hardison three weeks ago at a community outreach event, and Hardison was talking about enrolling at Wake Technical Community College. Doughty wondered if Hardison was trying to help someone when he was stabbed.

"I just wish I could have done more to help him in his life, to get his life on track," he said, sobbing. "He might still be here if I could help him. I'm sorry, man."

Anyone with information that could help investigators should call the Wake Forest Police Department at 919-435-9610.