CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – A 19-year-old man has been apprehended after allegedly opening fire on five individuals at Romare Bearden Park during New Year’s Eve festivities on Sunday night.
According to authorities, the suspect is not considered an active shooter, indicating that the shooting did not continue beyond the initial incident. All five victims, four women, and one man, sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to their lower extremities.
Police noted that officers patrolling the park responded to a call for a deadly weapon assault after the suspect fired multiple shots into a crowd at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. With the aid of video technology, detectives quickly supplied officers at the scene with a description of the suspect, ultimately leading to his arrest on site.
Following an interview with detectives, the suspect has been charged with five counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and one misdemeanor count of going armed to the terror of the public. The suspect is being held on a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The shooting transpired as people gathered to witness fireworks and the illumination of the Queen City Crown during Charlotte Center City Partners’ CLT NYE Uptown 123123 celebration. Video footage obtained by Queen City Nerve captured multiple arrests taking place at a nearby parking garage shortly after the shooting. However, it remains unclear whether those individuals were linked to the shooting.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that this incident follows a previous occurrence during Fourth of July celebrations at Romare Bearden Park, during which a dozen juveniles were arrested, and four guns were confiscated by the police.
In an update, police revealed that multiple disturbances in the Uptown area resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals, including 11 juveniles and one adult, on Sunday night. Six parents or guardians of the detained juveniles were cited and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two firearms were seized. Three officers also sustained minor injuries during the events and required treatment.
The police department has not yet responded to requests for further details regarding the individuals arrested at the parking garage, or whether the 19-year-old shooting suspect was among them.