3 dead, 11 injured in shooting at block party in Charlotte, North Carolina
At least three people were killed and eleven others wounded in a shooting early Monday at a block party in Charlotte, North Carolina, CBS affiliate WBTV reported. Police said over 100 rounds were fired into a crowd of hundreds of people.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on. Monday night after what Charlotte-Mecklenburg police described as an "unorganized" Juneteenth celebration, according to WBTV. Police said they were called to the scene on reports that a pedestrian had been hit — but said that when they arrived, there were hundreds of people in the area.
Suddenly, shots went off, according to police. Five people trying to flee the scene were hit by vehicles, police said. They said they believe one person hit by a vehicle was one of the gunshot victims who died.
Several victims had life-threatening wounds or injuries, medics told the station. No suspects were in custody.
"Preliminary information gathered during the investigation indicates that several shooters discharged dozens of shots into the crowd who had been gathered in the area," police said in a statement.
The deceased victims were later identified as Kelly Miller, 29; Christopher Antonio Gleaton, 28; and Jamaa Keon Cassell, 39.
Witnesses said the Juneteenth celebrations were peaceful. Some people told WBTV they saw drivers speeding and doing donuts in the road, even street racing. Police didn't confirm any connection to street racing.
