Three people were found dead Friday morning in a home near Pineville, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
The victims, who police said were all male, had been shot.
Police said they were called around 10:30 a.m. to the 9500 block of China Grove Church Road where the victims’ bodies were found. Medic pronounced all three dead at the scene.
The home is near Sterling Elementary School, which was not put on lockdown, reported WBTV, the Observer’s news partner.
The victims’ names will be released once their families are notified, police said.
Two women who appeared to be family members were seen wailing outside the home.
Police have not said whether they are looking for suspects. Officers were canvassing the area for any witnesses.
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney was among those at the scene.
“It is an active investigation and very fluid,” police spokesman Rob Tufano said shortly before noon.
Friday’s incident shook the Sterling community, where friends and relatives gathered and wept at the only church in the neighborhood.
David Scott Cunningham, pastor of China Grove AME Zion Church, said he did not know the family or victims. But when he learned of the shooting, he and several members gathered to serve and minister to the grieving.
“We want to be part of the healing process,” he said.
Carolyn Straite, who said she grew up in the neighborhood, called the area a “loving community” where neighbors knew and took care of each other.
Police encouraged anyone with information about the shootings to call 704-432-TIPS (8477) to speak directly with a homicide detective. Or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.