2 arrested for shooting into ambulance in Uptown

CHARLOTTE — Detevin Raheen Butts, 30, and Jaquarius Hykeem Mingo, 27, and were arrested hours after they allegedly shot into a Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) ambulance early Thursday morning in Uptown.

2 men accused of shooting into ambulance in Uptown From left: Detevin Raheen Butts, Jaquarius Hykeem Mingo (MCSO)

The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. outside the Midnight Diner at the intersection of Trade Street and Caldwell Street while paramedics were transporting a patient to the hospital.

The ambulance was not the intended target in the shooting, MEDIC and police said.

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Surveillance video from the Midnight Diner shows two suspects arguing with a man before Butts started shooting, according to court documents.

One of the rounds struck the MEDIC truck. It didn’t penetrate into the cab.

“This is something they have to be prepared for anytime, any day,” said JP Peterson, executive director, MEDIC.

The MEDIC crew drove to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department headquarters, which was close by.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. Another MEDIC unit transported the patient to the hospital for an unrelated illness.

“At no point was patient care compromised, and we are grateful to share that neither the patient nor our crew sustained any injuries,” officials with MEDIC said in a news release.

There has been a lot of violence in Uptown recently, including two homicides and a shooting in a hotel.

Peterson said his paramedics were at all the scenes.

“It’s been a tough week and especially having a trial this week from a really bad crash a couple of years ago, and then this happening right on top of that,” Peterson told Channel 9. “That’s tough for our folks. They’re people. They’re human. This affects them.”

Butts was charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill, one count each for felony conspiracy, discharging a weapon into occupied property or a conveyance in operation, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Mingo was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and one count each for felony conspiracy and discharging a weapon into occupied property or a conveyance in operation.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a third person was cited and released for carrying a concealed weapon.

CMPD says investigators are looking into what led to the shooting. The department said in a statement, “At this time, it appears the ambulance was not the intended target.”

“We deeply appreciate the swift response of CMPD in ensuring the safety of our crew and patient, and we are thankful for the concern and support shown by our community this morning. While risk is a part of what MEDIC faces every day, the courage and commitment our crews show in confronting those risks to care for others deserves recognition, said Peterson earlier in a news release.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

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