CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's Garinger High School was on lockdown Tuesday after a nearby shooting that may have involved students, according to officials.
Around 7 a.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a shooting near the intersection of Sugar Creek Road and Eastway Drive, which is located on the school's northeastern boundary. When officers arrived, they were told one of the suspects ran toward the high school.
In a call to parents, Garinger's principal said investigators believe the shots were fired from a black SUV. The principal believed a select group of students was targeted. These students appeared to have returned fire as they ran to the school.
The school was put on lockdown and students were directed to the gym or cafeteria, where CMPD officers searched students and found one Garinger High School student possessing a gun and two loaded magazines. The student, who was not publicly identified because of their age, has been charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Firearm by a Minor, and Possession of a Firearm on School Grounds.
No students were injured in the shooting.
The following message was delivered to parents Tuesday:
"This is Principal Bracey with an important message.
Just prior to 7 a.m. our school was placed on lockdown as shots were fired near our campus, with students potentially involved in the incident.
Shots were fired near campus by individuals believed to be in a black SUV. It is believed that suspects targeted by the gunfire returned fire and fled to campus. It was believed those students possessed a weapon.
Our arriving students were directed to the gym and students who had arrived prior to the shots fired went to the cafeteria. CMPD officers began the search in the gym and a firearm and two loaded magazines were found. One suspect is in police custody and another has been detained as law enforcement continues to investigate.
No students were injured and police have secured our building and campus. Currently our school remains on lockdown. Upon receiving the go ahead we will transition to restricted movement for the rest of the day. Additional security will be present.
I encourage you to speak with your students about the consequences of bringing weapons to school or on school transportation, and to share with law enforcement any information they may know about today’s incident."
Garinger High School student Fabiana Vasquez was in the gym and described the situation as "crazy."
"They were searching our bags. They made us get in lines and everything and told us to put our phones and everything in our book bags," Vasquez said. "I saw someone get arrested."
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Anyone can submit information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.