CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two teenagers are facing charges in connection with a shooting spree that killed one person and injured at least two others early Tuesday across Charlotte.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers spotted a suspicious car matching the description given to police by witnesses at some of the shootings around 1 a.m. Thursday. One of the suspects, a 16-year-old, was inside the car. Officers found a stolen gun in the car during the traffic stop, Arrington announced. The teen, who hasn't been identified, is charged with first-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a handgun by a minor and possession of a stolen firearm.
According to an affidavit obtained by WCNC Charlotte, the 16-year-old told detectives that he and 18-year-old Carlos Roberto Diaz, went to a party and then drove around Charlotte shooting at people. The teen allegedly admitted to shooting at people in the area of Beatties Ford Road and Lasalle Street, as well as around South Boulevard.
Diaz was taken into custody later that day and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted murder, two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury.
Diaz made his first appearance in court on Friday. The judge ruled that Diaz would not be given a bond for the murder charge. Diaz was given a $100,000 bond for his other charges but will remain in jail. His next court date will be before a Superior Court judge for the murder charge.
Chief Johnny Jennings announced Thursday multiple divisions worked together to quickly identify the suspects and arrest them.
"These were brazen crimes," Jennings said. "These were crimes that put our community at risk and created a safety hazard for our community. CMPD personnel took this personally. They took this as a threat to the safety of the citizens of Charlotte and they acted appropriately."
Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington said forensic analysis linked at least three of the incidents together, including a homicide along Statesville Avenue near Interstate 85.
"It's no secret that I've made many comments for the need to make sure we're saving our juveniles," Jennings said. "Juvenile crime continues to be an issue. Not just in our city, but across our country."
Five shootings happened between 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9 in four locations, according to CMPD. The first shooting happened along Statesville Avenue near Interstate 85. When officers arrived, they found 58-year-old Mustaffa Muhammad dead inside a Chevrolet Equinox after being shot in the abdomen.
The second incident happened when a bicyclist was shot at near Lasalle Street and Newland Road. The cyclist wasn't hurt. A few minutes later, CMPD responded to gunshots hitting a vehicle near Interstate 77 and Lasalle Street. The next incident happened when a group of people were shot at across the block on Catherine Simmons Avenue. A woman inside a home near the group was hit by a bullet. That person is expected to be OK, according to CMPD.
WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman spoke with the victim on the phone Thursday morning. She shared that she was at home with her daughter and listening to music when the bullet struck her shoulder and neck area. She is now staying with family while she recovers.
Another cyclist was shot on Hilary Circle in southwest Charlotte around 1:30 a.m. The victim suffered injuries that weren't life-threatening. Arrington said the Hilary Circle shooting is believed to be connected to the others due to the time frame and circumstantial evidence.
It's been a violent week in the Queen City, with detectives responding to five homicides in 36 hours. There have been at least 67 homicides in Charlotte so far this year. That's up 37% compared to 49 over the same time in 2023.
CMPD is looking for more information on this string of connected shootings. Witnesses can call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with homicide detectives. All calls to Crime Stoppers or CMPD are anonymous.
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