CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors living in an east Charlotte community off Albemarle road said they have been dealing with car break-ins, but when someone is willing to pull a gun, it has them even more concerned.
Brandon Forin was up early Monday morning when he heard gunshots outside his apartment in the Somerstone Apartments.
"I heard a gunshot and I heard a few words be exchanged, like people yelling,” Forin said.
A car burglar started shooting when someone caught the burglar in the act off Winding Cedar Trail, neighbors said.
The person fired once, with the bullet hitting a nearby car.
Neighbors, including Forin, who live in the apartments near Albemarle Road, worry about thieves resorting to violence.
"I'm not sure, heat of the moment, they're scared they're going to get caught,” Forin said. “They want that person out of the way."
Another man said he has grandkids in the apartment complex.
"People coming over here don't stay here,” the man said. “They don't stay here. They come over here and do stuff, you know. It's crazy."
Since April, there have been 23 crimes on Winding Cedar Trail. Out of those, three were thefts, one burglary and two cars stolen.
In this most recent case, no one got hurt, but neighbors worry about being in the wrong place at the wrong time when the next car gets broken into.
"People get shot just because they're protecting their own things, so you got to be extra safe in this world today,” Forin said.
Channel 9 checked with apartment management to see if it is putting any warnings out for the residents who live there.
We are still waiting to hear back.
Cox Media Group
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