Two arrested, 16 and 18 year old, for deadly shooting spree in Charlotte
“Good Old-Fashioned Police Work” brought two suspects into custody on Thursday after police stated that they are responsible for a shooting spree in Charlotte that resulted in the death of 58-year-old Mustaffa Muhammad.
During a press conference on Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington said the arrests were a result of “good old-fashioned police work.” Both men are charged in connection with five different shootings that occurred over a 30-minute span on Tuesday morning.
Traffic stop led to arrest of Charlotte shooting spree suspects
According to Deputy Chief Arrington, officers were in the right place at the right time patrolling Nations Ford Road on Thursday morning when they spotted a suspicious car and initiated a traffic stop. She stated that a 16-year-old was driving the car, and during the search, officers discovered a stolen firearm inside.
Additionally, shell casings were found in the car.
Forensic evidence confirmed that the 16-year-old was one of the suspects. Investigators charged the teenager with first-degree murder, and Deputy Chief Arrington mentioned that more charges are expected to follow.
According to Arrington, they believed the 16-year-old planned to continue his shooting spree. Shortly after arresting the teen, investigators learned about a second suspect. With the FBI’s assistance, 18-year-old Carlos Robert Diaz was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, felony 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 inflicting serious injury.
Suspects linked to at least three shootings
Deputy Chief Arrington stated that detectives have already forensically linked three of the shootings together. He added that they believe they have identified all the suspects and do not have any additional suspects at this time.
Charlotte shooting spree
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, a string of shootings unfolded in the city over a 30-minute period on a Tuesday morning. The first shots rang out at 1 a.m. in north Charlotte, specifically at the intersection of Statesville Avenue and Tipton Drive.
Upon reaching the scene, authorities found 58-year-old Mustaffa Muhammad, dead.
Just moments later, a few streets away, another shooting unfolded. This time, the scene shifted to the intersection of Lasalle Street and Newland Road, where a cyclist narrowly escaped a deadly shot.
But the shooting didn’t stop there – a vehicle rolled up to Catherine Simmons Avenue and unleashed a hail of gunfire upon a group of unsuspecting bystanders.
A lady residing in a neighboring house was struck by the bullets and subsequently taken to a medical facility, where she is anticipated to recover. The last shooting occurred at Hillary Circle, where the perpetrator aimed at a cyclist. Fortunately, the cyclist sustained minor injuries and is in stable condition.
