Suspects Identified In SWAT Standoff, Shooting In North Charlotte

Police are still investigating after a SWAT situation that resulted in shootout and the arrest of 12 people. It happened on Langston Mill Road in north Charlotte Wednesday morning.

Police went to arrest Rafael Rivas on forgery and fraud charges. But they say his brother opened fire on SWAT officers, who then shot back, hitting him. He's still in the hospital.

Police believe Rafael Rivas might have ties to the violent gang MS 13.

"There was some additional information, additional intelligence that this individual was a MS 13 gang member and had a number of weapons in his possession," CMPD spokeswoman Julie Hill said.

Eyewitness News spoke to several neighbors who were shocked by the news of their neighbors. "I never seen nothing wrong," said Rosario Coreas, who let her children play with the Rivas children.

Of the 12 people arrested, 11 were in the country illegally.

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