Two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of shootings in Charlotte that killed one person and injured two others early Tuesday morning. Officers arrested a 16-year-old early Thursday morning and Carlos Roberto Diaz, 18, later that afternoon.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington says officers stopped a "suspicious car" the juvenile was driving. They found a gun they later confirmed was stolen.
Both are charged with first-degree murder. Additional charges against the 16-year-old are expected. His name has not been released since he is considered a juvenile. Diaz has also been charged with attempted murder, shooting into occupied dwellings and vehicles, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
“At this time, I want to assure the public we’re not looking for any additional suspects. We believe we have all that were involved in custody,” Arrington said.
18-year-old Carlos Roberto Diaz will be transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sherriff’s Office and charged with the following:
— CMPD News (@CMPD) July 11, 2024
-1st degree murder
-Felony Conspiracy to Commit Murder
-Attempted Murder x5
-Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle x2
-Shooting into an…
The series of shootings happened early Tuesday morning within 30 minutes of each other. Several of them occurred just northwest of uptown near the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. The fifth was in Steele Creek.
Mustaffa Muhammad, 58, was killed on Statesville Avenue. Loved ones told WSOC-TV he was driving home from work. A few minutes later, shots from a car were fired in the direction of a group of people standing near the 2100 block of Catherine Simmons Drive. One of those rounds entered a nearby home and injured a woman. She is recovering. In Steele Creek just off Nations Ford Road, a bicyclist was shot and is also recovering.
Police had said the five shootings appeared to be random and linked. Arrington says the shootings do not appear to be gang-related.
"There's no indication as...why? So we're still asking the same questions - why would two juveniles engage in this behavior?" said Arrington.
Based on the evidence and actions officers observed, she said they have no doubt the 16-year-old was planning another round of shootings.
“We have reason to believe that the 16-year-old juvenile intended on continuing this violent crime spree,” Arrington said.
CMPD's Homicide Unit is providing updates on several recent shooting investigations over the span of 24 hours.
— CMPD News (@CMPD) July 9, 2024
On July 8, shortly after 5 a.m., a vehicle was reported disable in the roadway in the 7300 block of Rea Road in the South Division. A deceased victim, identified as… pic.twitter.com/jgZiRqF4bd
It’s been a violent start to the year in Charlotte. The total number of homicides stands at 68. At the same time last year, there were 49.
