(Rightallegiance.com) – Charlotte, North Carolina, was shaken by a series of terrifying late-night shootings early Tuesday, leaving one person dead and two others injured in what police suspect were random attacks. The incidents, unfolding between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., spanned different neighborhoods, prompting a widespread search for the perpetrators.
Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department addressed the media urgently, emphasizing the apparent randomness of the shootings. “Somebody out there knows who this person or people are, and we’re asking them to come forward,” she urged during a press conference on Tuesday. “We need help solving these and we need help quickly.”
The first reported shooting occurred in the 3800 block of Statesville Avenue, where a vehicle traveling northbound was targeted. Tragically, the victim, identified as 58-year-old Mustaffa Muhammad, succumbed to the injuries sustained in the attack. Minutes later, another incident unfolded at the intersection of Lasalle Street and Newland Road, involving a bicyclist who narrowly escaped injury despite shots fired in their direction.
The violence continued to escalate as a vehicle was struck on Lasalle Street near I-77 shortly thereafter. In a separate incident on Catherine Simmons Drive, gunfire struck a female victim inside her home, adding to the growing list of casualties.
Authorities indicated that the shootings appeared connected due to the method—a vehicle firing at random targets—and the timeframe in which they occurred. However, no specific suspect or vehicle description has been confirmed yet, leaving investigators grappling with a complex web of leads and testimonies.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to identify those responsible for these senseless acts,” Deputy Chief Arrington remarked grimly. “At this time, we have no confirmed suspects and we have no verified description of a vehicle.”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has mobilized additional patrols and is actively canvassing affected areas for witnesses and surveillance footage. A $10,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shootings, underscoring the urgency of the investigation.
Residents in the metro patrol region and beyond have been left on edge by the unpredictability of the attacks, prompting calls for vigilance and community cooperation. The geographic spread of the incidents—from the metro area to the Steel Creek neighborhood southwest of downtown—has further complicated law enforcement efforts.
“Investigators are diligently pursuing all leads and analyzing evidence to piece together what transpired during these tragic events,” stated Arrington. “We’re covering a lot of ground and mobilizing our resources to track down the individuals responsible.”