Family of uptown shootout survivor says he's lucky to be alive

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Family members of a Charlotte teenager said he's lucky to be alive after he was shot early Wednesday morning when a graduation party in uptown Charlotte turned violent.

[PAST COVERAGE: Shootout at uptown apartment building leaves 1 dead, 3 hurt]

Authorities said they were called to the Post Uptown Place on North Graham Street at 6th Street just before 1 a.m. after gunfire erupted during a graduation party, killing 24-year-old Calvin Haines.

Witnesses told officers two people were arguing outside the complex when one pulled a gun and started firing. They said a second person also pulled out a gun and started shooting.

(Masanka Kanku)

Masanka Kanku, 19, was injured in the shooting, along with two other victims, ages 16 and 22.

Channel 9's Stephanie Tinoco talked to Kanku's aunt, Dembo Shosola, who said her nephew was shot in the face by a stray bullet as he was leaving the party.

Kanku is a Mallard Creek High School graduate and was visiting from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

"He's in university with full scholarship," she said. "He don't drink. He don't smoke. He don’t hang out with bad friends.”

Kanku's family said he is in stable condition and is expected to be OK.

"He's in the ICU, but he's doing good. I thank God," Shosola said. "We're just hanging in there. We thank God."

Tinoco also spoke to Haines' family. She said there were dozens of people at his family's home Wednesday evening grieving his loss.

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His sister said the family will share more information about him when they are ready.

Police said the apartment where the party was held was booked through Airbnb for a summer kickoff event following recent high school graduations.

Officers are trying to track down illegal parties being held at rental spaces to stop them from happening.

Police have not released any information about arrests at this point.

Cox Media Group