Local

Man cleared of shooting woman while breastfeeding inside home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Attempted murder charges were dropped against a man once accused of breaking into a woman's University City apartment and shooting her several times while she shielded her breastfeeding.

The suspect, Curtis Kerr, maintained his innocence during the investigation.

Prosecutors didn't have any evidence that connected him to the crime, which remains unsolved.

Prosecutors said the case began to fall apart almost as soon as the police had made the arrest.

The victim's family got involved in trying to figure out who shot her and may have coached her to single out a man who said he was innocent.

Kerr said he was not the man who burst into the home on Wexford Meadows Lane in February and shot the 23-year-old woman who was breastfeeding her baby.

The baby was not hurt, and the mother recovered from her injuries.

The woman picked Kerr out of a police lineup, which led to his arrest.

“My brother called and said, ‘Hey, there's about 30 police looking for you, and they all have firearms pointed at us. You may want to call them and talk to them,’” Kerr said.

Prosecutors said there was a problem with the lineup.

In their affidavit, they said the woman's family had independently identified Kerr. They knew him by his nickname "Freeze."

Family members suggested to her that he was the shooter, and that they showed her his picture before she picked him out of that lineup, according to an affidavit.

Prosecutors said, despite a thorough investigation, there was no other physical, scientific or testimonial evidence pointing to Kerr as the attacker, so they dismissed the charges Tuesday.

“It was the best news I've heard in a long time,” Kerr said. “I've just been waiting to get back to work so I can take care of me and my family.”

Kerr is relieved that he's in the clear, but he is frustrated that no one would listen to him until now.

“I had no thoughts whatever that I'd be found guilty,” Kerr said. “I knew this wouldn't even make it to court.  I was just waiting on the judicial system to catch up.”

If Kerr wasn't the shooter, that person may still be amongst the public.

Kerr said he would like that person to come forward, so the woman and her family can find some peace.

The victim’s family members said Monday they were very upset that prosecutors were dropping the charges.