CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One person is in custody after more than a dozen shots were fired at a vehicle in Uptown Charlotte Tuesday morning, police said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers witnessed a shooting at the intersection of Trade Street and Tryon Street. CMPD said a four-door sedan was sitting at the light on Tryon Street when the suspect got out and immediately fired multiple shots at the car.
CMPD officers, who were already at the busy Charlotte intersection when the shooting occurred, gave immediate chase to the suspect who had taken off running.
Officers were able to take the alleged shooter into custody as he tried to board a Charlotte Area Transit System bus at the CATS Transit Center just blocks away, officials said.
CMPD Capt. Brad Koch said officers recovered a handgun. Koch confirmed that anywhere from 10 to 15 rounds were fired by the suspect.
The driver of the car drove off and CMPD was initially unable to find this person.
"We have looked at the hospital, as well as different areas, still trying to find them," Koch said after the shooting Tuesday.
In an update Wednesday, a CMPD spokesperson confirmed investigators have identified the person but have not yet been able to talk with them.
"I want to assure everyone, this was an isolated incident," Koch said Tuesday. "Center City is a safe place to be."
The response was quick from CMPD officers, whose routine patrols made them witnesses to the shooting. That presence however didn't calm the nerves of some of those who were also near the shooting.
“Definitely post-pandemic when we came back to the office you can tell a lot of the businesses have shut down a lot of the people have left the area," Jeremy Collins, who works a block from the shooting, said. "So that allows for a lot of people to come in that previously were probably not allowed or they didn’t feel comfortable into this area but now they’re here.”
One person tweeted said they heard about five consecutive shots before multiple police cars sped past the area, which is located near numerous landmarks including the Omni Hotel and Bank of America complex.
“It was loud gunfire like echoing throughout all the buildings," Michael Hirch, who was on lunch break when he heard the shots, said. "I work on the 11th floor. So pretty high up from the scene and you can hear everything."
Video posted to social media showed officers investigating and gathering evidence near Trade Street and Tryon Street. Additional officers were seen a few blocks away near the CATS Transit Center, which is located near Spectrum Arena and the Epicentre.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.