CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at an Uptown Charlotte hookah lounge earlier this week, police announced.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Cecil Orelefant Oxner, 43, was charged with attempted first-degree murder for his role in the shooting in the parking lot of the Babylon Hookah Bar on College Street on May 17. Detectives said multiple shooters fired upwards of 55 or 56 shots during the shootout that happened around 2:30 a.m.
"Those individuals are responsible for the resting point of those bullets," CMPD Capt. Brad Koch said. "And the fact that there were 50-plus rounds fired early in a crowded parking lot in center city on an early Monday morning, is clearly a concern for not only the police department, law enforcement community as well, but for the Charlotte community."
Detectives said Oxner was the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the shooting. Police did not say if Oxner fired shots during the incident.
The two groups had a long-standing feud, and police said the one person who was shot was not the intended target, but in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Witnesses brought their concerns to Mecklenburg County Commissioners on Tuesday night, asking them to take a closer look at the businesses in Uptown.
"I've never heard such noises in my life," Stefan LaCaria said at the meeting. "The businesses that we welcome here should also simply put, exemplify and show our determination as a city to be prosperous, to be welcoming, and to be safe and show what it means to live in a great city."
Koch said detectives were working and other arrests would be "imminent."
"I believe everybody who was involved in that should face charges because the clear disregard for human life was evident out there," Koch said.
Koch said there were three cars involved in this incident. Police said one of the cars involved was located and said five suspects were detained. Koch said two of those suspects were arrested on unrelated charges.
Police said they are still looking for two more vehicles involved in the shooting. Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a dark-colored Honda Mazda CX5 and a white four-door Honda Accord.
Any person with information about this shooting is asked to call CMPD's Crime Stoppers tip line at 704-334-1600.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.