Local

Man armed with ax defends home from burglars

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man in north Charlotte took dramatic action to stop a pair of burglars. When someone tried to break into his apartment Monday night, the victim fought back with an ax.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous because he feared he was being targeted, said he has had enough and is moving out.

The victim spent the morning moving out of the Alexander Apartments on Statesville Avenue.

“Obviously, they had been watching me in the neighborhood,” he said.

He said burglars stole jewelry and Air Jordan shoes from his home in February. Two weeks ago, strange men knocked on his door. And Monday night, they came back, he said. One of the men was wearing his stolen shoes.

While they pounded on the door, he grabbed an ax that he bought for protection.

“When they kicked again and the door opened, I swung the ax. And the ax went spinning down the stairs,” he said.

The police report states the ax hit a 16-year-old in the head. The teen had severe cuts to his head. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center. Information about the teen’s condition has not been released.

Police said the teen will be charged with burglary after he is released from the hospital.

The victim’s godmother said her godson is moving because he does not feel safe at the apartment complex anymore. She said he has not found a new home yet.

“I haven’t been able to sleep peacefully in my house by myself,” the victim said.

On Tuesday, workers cleaned off the trail of blood from the accused burglar’s wound, but they cannot clear away the memories for people like Shaquetta Jackson, who still lives in the apartment community.

“My concern is them coming back and knocking on my door and seeing what everybody has and just breaking into houses over here,” she said.

The victim said he is in the process of getting a gun permit. He bought the ax as a security measure while he waits for the permit.

Police are still looking for a second suspect who was involved in the break-in.