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'An innocent person just working': Delivery driver details moments shots fired into car

By Genevieve Curtis, wsoctv.com
By Genevieve Curtis, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police have arrested a man accused of shooting into the car of a delivery driver in west Charlotte Thursday night.

The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. on Millbridge Drive and Ranch Road, near Freedom Drive.

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No one was injured in the shooting, but there was a large police presence and multiple roads in the area were blocked off during the investigation.

After arriving at the scene, police said they saw the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Vilayphone Souphanthavong, go into a house on Ranch Road. Several more officers were called to the area after he refused to leave the house.

Souphanthavong was later arrested and charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied property.

Eyewitness News Anchor Genevieve Curtis spoke with the delivery driver Breyetta, who said she was in shock when it happened.

One of the bullets hit just inches from her gas tank and another bullet remains lodged in metal behind the driver's seat. 

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"I just thank God, I just thank God," Breyetta said. "At the angle that it hit, it would have hit me somewhere in my chest. What's important to me is my life and you realize that when you almost lost your life in the worst way possible, an innocent person just working."

As one of her three jobs, Breyetta delivers for the app "Go Puff," which mostly delivers snacks. 

She said she was taking ordinary treats to a customer Thursday night. She said she was a bit lost and the customer was on the phone, guiding her when she heard the shot. 

"I heard this loud thump," Breyetta said. "I asked the guy 'Why are you shooting at me? I don't know you.'" 

Breyetta told Channel 9 that night has changed her life and now, she has her own message to deliver. 

"I look at life from a whole new perspective, I'm a different person today," Breyetta said. "If you need to make amends, make amends. Forgive. Love."

Through all of this, Breyetta said she still made the delivery to the customer. 

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