Local

Father says 13-year-old son robbed at gunpoint over earring, phone

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte 13-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon after playing basketball at a park.

Channel 9’s Ken Lemon spoke with the boy’s father who said it was all over a phone and an earring.

The teen went to L.C. Coleman Park that day to play basketball with friends. His father said he left alone around 4:40 p.m.

He said two older people then ran up to his son from behind with an Uzi-style gun and threatened to shoot the teen if he didn’t give up his earring and iPhone.

"He said, 'They just robbed me.They put a gun to the back of my head,'" the father said.

The 13-year-old gave them what they wanted and the two people ran away, according to the teen's father.

"I'm still shaking myself cause I couldn't understand the fact of someone robbing a 13-year-old over a phone and an earring,” the father said.

The park is just a few blocks away from their house and according to the father, there has been trouble there before, but not during the day like this.

He said he is now working to help his son be brave after this incident.

"Thank you, Jesus, for protecting and keeping my child,” said the teen's father.

The family talked with investigators Thursday and said police told them there may be signs put out soon seeking help to solve this crime.