CMPD continues to piece together deadly shooting at shopping center

CHARLOTTE — A 21-year-old man was killed in a shooting at a west Charlotte shopping center on Wednesday afternoon, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

First responders were called to a business on Little Rock Road at Tuckaseegee Road around 2:30 p.m. The area is just north of Interstate 85.

“It’s a shopping plaza so there were a lot of people coming and going from businesses, so we absolutely believe that there are additional witnesses,” said Maj. Ryan Butler.

According to MEDIC, one person was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. CMPD later confirmed a man died from his injuries.

The victim’s family identified him as Natajah Johnson.

At the scene, Channel 9′s Evan Donovan could see bullet holes in the windshield of a car that was at the center of the crime scene. It was also surrounded by police vehicles. Donovan saw dozens of evidence markers near shell casings, indicating quite a few shots may have been fired.

It’s not clear what led up to the shooting or if any charges will be filed. Police confirmed they are investigating the case as a homicide.

The location is the drop-off site for a charter school bus, and several moms were waiting when Donovan arrived at the scene. Fortunately, that bus had not arrived yet when the shooting happened.

Others said the area is normally pretty safe and they don’t want any of the violence happening in other parts of the city to come there.

“I’m a concerned citizen about this area,” one person said. “All the gun violence needs to stop. All the crime needs to stop.”

There was also a large police presence several blocks away at a business on Tuckaseegee Road.

“It had to do with the fact that multiple scenes were being responded to close in proximity to each other, so it’s a matter of talking to witnesses,” Butler said.

Resident Joe Sibielski shared a Ring doorbell camera video with Channel 9′s Jonathan Lowe.

“My Ring camera kept going off,” Sibielski said.

The video showed a white car pulling into the business around 3 p.m.

It appeared to show two people getting out and walking around back before police cars pulled in behind them.

“Typically, the things that have happened, the few incidents, have always been people from outside the neighborhood, bringing it in,” Sibielski said. “I’m very comfortable here. I’ve never had any trouble.”

Investigators have not said whether the two scenes we captured are connected.

Butler said that is why they’re relying on someone to come forward with information on the city’s latest homicide.

“Sometimes, that little piece that somebody heard, somebody saw a car coming or going, or a person coming or going can be the piece that a homicide investigator is missing that helps them bring justice to this victim’s family,” Butler said.

No further information was released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 person hospitalized after northeast Charlotte shooting)

1 person hospitalized after northeast Charlotte shooting

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