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12-Year-Old Shot, Injured In North Charlotte; Man Taken Into Custody

Nick de la Canal
/
WFAE

Police have made an arrest after a man fired multiple shots at a group of people in north Charlotte, striking one 12-year-old boy in the leg, and narrowly missing a sheriff's deputy who was responding to the scene.

Police were first notified of the shooter around 7:30 a.m. Thursday. He was reportedly firing a gun in front of a motel on the 1200 block of West Sugar Creek Road, where a group of people were gathered outside. Police say a 12-year-old boy was struck by one of the bullets. He had been waiting for a school bus.

Corey Thompson, a Mecklenburg County sheriff's deputy, was driving nearby and witnessed the shooting, according to police.

As he pulled over to confront the shooter, police say Thompson became the target. The shooter got into the passenger side of a car and sped off, firing on the deputy. Thompson was not struck and did not return fire.

He did pursue the vehicle, chasing the alleged shooter along I-85 southbound, before exiting the highway and finding the car stopped near Linwood Avenue, its doors opened and its occupants missing.

A tip from an anonymous member of the community led police to locate one man, who was arrested after a brief foot chase near North Hoskins Road and Woodman Avenue. Officers also recovered a gun thought to be the one used in the shooting.

Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries. A police spokesperson said the suspect had complained of "breathing issues."

Police say they are still searching for a second suspect.

The 12-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment and is expected to recover.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the (victim) that was shot, and we certainly feel that the deputy's actions saved lives today," Mecklenburg County Sheriff Irwin Carmichael told reporters Thursday.

A sheriff's office spokesperson says Deputy Thompson has been employed by the sheriff's office since 2007.

Nick de la Canal is an on air host and reporter covering breaking news, arts and culture, and general assignment stories. His work frequently appears on air and online. Periodically, he tweets: @nickdelacanal