Teen charged as adult in 4-year-old’s killing

CHARLOTTE — A teenager is charged as an adult in the fatal shooting of an innocent 4-year-old boy in northwest Charlotte.

Channel 9 learned 17-year-old Ian Garland is charged with murder and attempted murder. He is expected to face a judge Thursday morning.

Caleb Flax was shot as he slept inside his family’s home on Grassy Patch Lane in the early morning hours of Sept. 20.

According to court documents, seven gunmen arrived in two stolen vehicles. Police say the suspects shot more than 80 bullets into four homes and three cars while driving on down the street, killing Flax and hurting a woman in the house next door.

This week, police arrested two others in connection with the 4-year-old’s death. Terrance Jackson Jr., 22, was arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department after investigators determined he helped sell a stolen car used during the shooting to help suspects escape. Court paperwork also shows that police arrested a third suspect in Gaston County. The documents don’t reveal much about the other suspect, but they do say he is a minor with the initials A.J. Channel 9 is working to learn more about him and the charges he’s facing.

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Flax’s grandfather, Frank Abdul, told Channel 9 he is grateful for this break in the case.

“When the chief came out here, she said they were gonna do their job, and we are thankful for that,” he said.

These latest charges are just the beginning, according to police. Court documents suggest more arrests could be coming. Abdul said he’s optimistic more people will be brought to justice.

“We’re ready for every court date they put out there, and we’ve been speaking on that already,” he said. “We want to know why.”

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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