Local

Police identify woman found shot to death outside apartment complex

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are searching for a gunman after a woman was found shot to death on a south Charlotte road early Sunday morning.

Officers were called to the area near the River Birch Apartments on Riverbirch Drive just before 5 a.m. The scene was just a mile and a half from the Quail Hollow Club.

Police said they found 20-year-old Shandiin Sanchez lying in the road outside the apartment complex, suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sanchez's friends who spoke with Channel 9's Erin Edwards said they are at a loss for words.

No arrests have been made.

Police could be seen searching the area for additional details and witnesses. Officers went door-to-door asking neighbors if they heard or saw anything.

“No area, I don't care where you live, is immune to what could happen. However, we have no history, repeat calls. Maybe some break-ins here and there, but nothing of the violent crime nature we could point to as a trend or anything to that effect,” said CMPD Maj. Dave Robinson.

A neighbor who said he witnessed the shooting walked Channel 9's Erin Edwards through what he heard.

He said he just woke up before 5 a.m. when he heard two shots and then, heard a car screech and speed away.

Community members said the complex is typically quiet and this is the first time something like this has happened.

"I'm really shocked because like I say I just moved here recently and I'm just surprised this has happened because it's really quiet around here, so I'm really shocked," neighbor William Cane said.

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Residents said they hope police increase patrols in the area.

This is the fourth homicide in the area in the last six months and the second in October.

The most recent was less than a mile away on Sharon Lakes Road on Oct. 3 when a man was shot in front of a shopping center.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.