CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at a short-term rental property in southeast Charlotte early Sunday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
CMPD responded to a reported shooting around 1 a.m. in a neighborhood off Monroe Road. When officers arrived, they found three people shot at a property on Hollow Drive. Detectives said the property was booked for an event. The police report shows at least 12 people were at the rental, including a three-year-old child.
CMPD identified the person who was killed as 19-year-old Chauncory Farmer. His family was notified of his death.
WCNC Charlotte confirmed the property is listed on Booking.com. An anonymous neighbor said the condominium is often booked with guests but she's never noticed issues outside of extra cars taking up parking spots.
However, the neighbor said the latest booking over the weekend was different. "There was a bunch of cars everywhere," the neighbor said. "They weren't very considerate of people."
She said the Sunday morning shooting was shocking and crazy for the community. The side of the condo and its front door are riddled with bullet holes and caution tape is wrapped around its fence to the backyard.
Several neighbors said they now want the Fox Ridge community's HOA to enforce a ban on short-term rentals.
WCNC Charlotte learned that the community is separated into several different divisions. At least one of the divisions has a provision that bans rentals shorter than 30 days. However, the property manager said the division where the shooting happened does not have a ban on short-term rentals.
"A lot of communities are amending their declarations to prohibit short-term rentals or at least place limits on them," said Ben Karb, an HOA attorney for KPT Law.
He said it can be hard for HOA boards to know when properties are operating as rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, but if a homeowner violates the rule, they typically have a hearing and pay a fine.
"You could probably fine the person $100, but that doesn't necessarily have the sharpest teeth," Karb added.
As short-term rentals become more popular, Karb said HOA bans against them are too.
The homicide investigation is active and ongoing. CMPD hasn't released any suspect information at this time or announced any arrests.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS or leave tips anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. People can also send information to http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
(Note: An earlier version of this story states the shooting occurred at an Airbnb rental. Airbnb told WCNC Charlotte this property is not listed on Airbnb).
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