2 suspects accused of breaking into woman’s apartment, killing man, hurting child

CHARLOTTE — Police have arrested two people after a man was shot and killed following a break-in Wednesday night in south Charlotte.

Officers were called around 10 p.m. to the scene at an apartment complex on Oak Meadow Court, near South Boulevard, and found the victim, 30-year-old Selvin Yovani Lara-Reyes.

“As I was driving to this scene tonight, I was at a loss for words, thinking about what I would say to you and your viewers,” said CMPD Maj. Cecil Brisbon. “As a community, I think we’re all suffering.”

On Thursday morning, police said 18-year-old Mario Alexander Monroy had been arrested. He was charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and felony breaking and entering.

Later Thursday, police said they arrested 19-year-old Andy Jonathan Garcia. He was charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and felony breaking and entering.

According to a police report, they broke into a woman’s apartment and shot Lara-Reyes and injured a 7-year-old boy. Police said the child was hurt but will be OK.

No other details about the crime were released.

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Brisbon told Channel 9 that the recent string of violence across the city has them just as frustrated as neighbors.

“We need to find a way to change the hearts and minds of the people involved in this violence because this violence is doing nothing to our community but continuing to tear it apart,” he said.

Key to progress is partnership

The violence prompted a community meeting Wednesday night between police and neighbors in northwest Charlotte. More than 40 people showed up to voice their frustrations 24 hours after two teens and a 7-year-old were shot in separate but connected shootings.

Some people told officers they’ve been living in fear. Others said they’ve been hearing gunshots so often that they don’t bother to call police anymore.

Moving forward, neighbors and officers agreed that the key to progress is partnership.

“The younger adults and some of the juveniles that we talk about, that’s where we need the help of the people that we just spoke with -- the community members, the older community members,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

3 arrested in connection with 7-year-old hurt in northwest Charlotte shooting, CMPD chief says

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