CMS student charged after shooting near Garinger HS leads to campus lockdown

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student has been arrested and charged after a shooting near Garinger High School Tuesday morning led to the campus being placed on lockdown, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.

According to CMPD, officers were called around 7 a.m. -- right before the first bell -- about shots being fired at the 7-Eleven across from the high school on Eastway Drive.

Initially, police were focused on the 7-Eleven, looking for a possible gun and shell casings. Then, Channel 9 crews saw CMPD’s Crime Scene Unit arrive at a shopping complex near Eastway Drive and East Sugar Creek Road, just across the street.

According to CMPD, officers arrived at the scene and learned that at least one suspect involved in the shooting ran toward Garinger High School, which is why the school was placed on lockdown. Officers then took one person into custody and said they were searching for any others who may have been involved.

No injuries have been reported.

Police later confirmed that a juvenile had been charged in the case. Detectives said he was found on Garinger’s campus and placed under arrest.

CMS officials told parents that a gun and two loaded magazines were eventually found at the school.

The juvenile has been charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of a firearm on school grounds.

Channel 9 crews could see CMPD officers escorting a young man away from the school and into the back of a police car. It’s unclear if he is the student who was charged.

The shooting and subsequent lockdown left parents like Isabell Leon panicked to pick up her student. She said she waited in her car outside the school for the all-clear.

“She’s here, she’s on the phone,” Leon told Channel 9. “Oh, I’m scared -- and I cried and it’s very scary. It’s my daughter that’s here.”

She stayed on the phone with her daughter, Jurisa, who described to reporter Anthony Kustura what happened.

“I was getting off the bus and me and my friend heard three gunshots from far away,” Jurisa Leon said. “They say it was at the gas station but it sounded closer.”

Jurisa said she ran inside the school and took cover.

Officers were at the school all morning and said they would work with CMS throughout the rest of the day to make sure everyone is safe.

CMS sent the following ConnectEd message to parents earlier Tuesday morning:

Garinger families, this is Principal Bracey with an important message. Just prior to 7 a.m. our school was placed on lockdown as shots were fired near our campus, with students potentially involved in the incident.

Shots were fired near campus by individuals believed to be in a black SUV. It is believed that suspects targeted by the gunfire returned fire and fled to campus. It was believed those students possessed a weapon.

Our arriving students were directed to the gym and students who had arrived prior to the shots fired went to the cafeteria. CMPD officers began the search in the gym and a firearm and two loaded magazines were found. One suspect is in police custody and another has been detained as law enforcement continues to investigate.

No students were injured and police have secured our building and campus. Currently, our school remains on lockdown. Upon receiving the go-ahead, we will transition to restricted movement for the rest of the day. Additional security will be present.

I encourage you to speak with your students about the consequences of bringing weapons to school or on school transportation and to share with law enforcement any information they may know about today’s incident.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 911 or leave the information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District has not released any information about the situation.

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

(WATCH BELOW: Several guns found on CMS campuses since students returned to school)

Several guns found on CMS campuses since students returned to school

©2021 Cox Media Group