Teen accused of killing woman near school to face judge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The teen accused of shooting and killing a woman near an elementary school will face a judge Friday.

Detectives said 18-year-old Montez McLaurin shot 35-year-old Angel Marie Carlton near the playground area of Lawrence Orr Elementary School on Shamrock Drive around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Officers spent hours canvassing the area, trying to locate any possible witnesses. They used K9s and a helicopter to try to track a suspect, who witnesses say was wearing a gray hoodie.

IMAGES: Woman shot, killed in east Charlotte

Early Thursday morning, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team found and arrested McLaurin and transported him to police headquarters. He will be charged with murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

On Thursday, Channel 9 went back to the school and saw CMPD patrol cars. Officers said they were there to give students and parents peace of mind and let them know the school was safe.

This crime surprised officers and neighbors in the area, because it's generally quiet.

"After the school lets out, it's very quiet in this area," neighbor Nickolas Crawford said.

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Crime mapping shows that there have been 22 violent crimes in a half-mile radius of the school in the last six months. Most have been minor assault cases.

Police said the homicide and the people involved are not associated with the school.

"I feel like whoever did it does not respect the school and I'm just glad it didn't happen during school hours with students being able to witness something like that happen," said Crawford.

Investigators don't believe the shooting was a random act, but would not say why Carlton was targeted.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call police.

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