CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man encountered a frightening situation after a bullet came flying into his car while he was driving on I-77.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the incident happened Thursday morning on I-77 near South End.
The driver, Anthony Bernichio, told WCNC Charlotte that this was a very scary ordeal. He was on his way to work around 4 a.m. when the incident happened.
“Here I'm driving to work, minding my business, you know, I've got a kid to support and I'm getting shot at,” said Bernichio.
Bernichio never imagined that he would be dodging a bullet on the road.
“I had somebody come on me, just really tailgating me… crawling on my car pretty hard,” said Bernichio. “I tapped on my brakes, so he would back off.”
However, Bernichio said the driver did not back off.
“He got mad and he pulled up next to me,” said Bernichio. “I heard a pop, and he shot.”
The bullet came through the passenger side, landing just a few inches from where Bernichio was sitting.
In a press conference on Friday, CMPD said it takes incidents like these very seriously.
“No one should feel in danger while driving down the road, that is unacceptable to us,” CMPD Lieutenant Kevin Pietrus said.
Police are looking into any leads to find the person responsible.
“These investigations run just like many other investigations run… with physical evidence and witnesses and surveillance,” Lte. Pietrus said. “There are business cameras and cameras all around that we depend on to get the factual evidence of a case so we can put all of the pieces together.”
Bernichio is relieved that he wasn’t hurt and has one message to other drivers.
“Be careful driving, don't drive aggressively."
CMPD said despite this incident, the number of what is classified as shootings in occupied dwellings which includes cars is down overall.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.