CMPD announces 5 arrests in shooting death of 4-year-old boy

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested four teens and one man in connection with a shooting in Charlotte that killed 4-year-old Caleb Flax and wounded an adult, authorities said. The incident took place in the 900 block of Grassy Patch Lane.

Officers responded to the neighborhood following a call reporting shots fired into an occupied dwelling. Inside the four residences struck by gunfire, nine other adults and five juveniles were present at the time of the attack but escaped without injury.

According to court documents, seven gunmen traveling in two stolen vehicles arrived in the area at approximately 3:01 a.m. on Sunday. The suspects fired more than 80 rounds into four homes and three vehicles while driving down the street, killing the child, who was shot in the head, and injuring a woman in an adjacent home.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

Channel 9 was at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Thursday when one of the suspects, Mallard Creek High School junior Ian Garland, 17, faced a judge for his crimes, including murder.

Garland was the intended target of a separate shooting on Silver Birch Drive, but the wrong house was hit there, prosecutors said. That shooting happened hours before Garland, and several others tried retaliating, looking for revenge.

Garland drove a stolen Mercedes to Grassy Patch Lane, along with another car, prosecutors said. That was when gunfire erupted.

Investigation Timeline:

Sept. 21: CMPD officers located a vehicle of interest related to this case in Charlotte and determined it had been stolen.

Sept. 23: The Gaston County Police Department and CMPD’s Crime Gun Suppression Team located and arrested Ar’montae Johnson, 16, in Stanley. Johnson was charged with murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling (4 counts), conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and larceny of a motor vehicle (2 counts). He was given on bond.

Sept. 25: The Gaston County Police Department and CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) arrested Antonio Kahron Ladson, 17, in Dallas. Ladson was charged with murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling (4 counts), conspiracy to commit a felony, and accessory after the fact. There was no bond given to Ladson.

Sept. 29: CMPD’s VCAT and the Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jaylen Vontae Barber, 16, in Monroe. Barber was charged with murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling (4 counts), and conspiracy to commit a felony. He is being held under no bond.

Sept. 29: CMPD’s Crime Gun Suppression Team arrested Terrance Jackson, 22, in Charlotte. Jackson was charged with accessory after the fact. He has a $2 million bond.

Sept. 30: CMPD’s VCAT arrested Garland. Garland was charged with murder, attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling (4 counts), conspiracy to commit a felony. He will stay in the juvenile center under no bond.

Sept. 30: A second vehicle of interest in this investigation was recovered in Orangeburg, S.C., which was stolen.

‘Unthinkable violence’

“Caleb should have been safe in his own bed. Instead, his life was ended in an act of unthinkable violence, and another victim was wounded. From the moment this investigation began, our detectives have been relentless in their pursuit of justice for the victims and their families,” said CMPD Chief of Police Estella D. Patterson. “Much of that work happens behind the scenes. It is the methodical, persistent work of detectives putting the pieces of a case together, following every lead, examining evidence, conducting interviews, and working to identify everyone responsible. While that work may not always be visible to the public, it is happening every day. The five arrests announced today are a direct result of that unwavering commitment, and we will not rest until every person responsible for this tragedy is brought to justice.”

‘Nothing has changed’

Charles Robinson, a community activist who works with local youth, expressed concern over recurring violence involving young people. “This little baby lost his life, but we saw this 5 years ago, and nothing has changed,” Robinson said.

He noted that community safety measures need to be reinforced. “Right now we are in a very dangerous place, the levels of accountability have changed, and it’s sad,” Robinson said.

He emphasized that consequences are necessary to break the cycle of crime, stating, “Until you hold folks accountable, nothing is going to change; we are going to be here again.”

Amid concerns regarding juvenile crime, local organizations are working to provide alternative guidance for troubled youth.

Darryl Sturdivant and his wife, Robin Sturdivant, founded Team Up Connections, a program supporting teenagers, including those referred directly by the courts.

Darryl Sturdivant described their approach to working with youth. “We don’t operate like a program; we operate like a family,” Sturdivant said.

As part of its supportive programming, Team Up Connections organized a group trip to New York City to visit Ground Zero.

Robin Sturdivant explained the importance of exposing youth to new experiences outside their home environment.

“If they are not put in positions to see the opportunities, they are being held in bondage. So that’s why I think us doing trips and everything like this is important,” Sturdivant said.

Tyler Carr, a youth participant in the program, shared his perspective on the trip. “I’m going to have fun, and I’m gonna see some cool stuff,” Carr said.

Parents of participants have observed positive behavioral changes through the organization’s structure.

Jessica Pardue, a mother whose son Dylan participates in Team Up Connections, credited the group with improving her son’s self-control. “I think it’s helping him regulate his emotions,” Pardue said.

Dylan confirmed the impact of the program on his daily decisions. “I’m able to regulate my emotions way more and think about what I should do before I do it,” Dylan said.

‘We want to know why’

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 on Wednesday.

Abdul said he’s optimistic more people will be brought to justice.

‘We’re still looking for answers," Abdul said. “They don’t have no earthly idea what they took.”

Caleb was laid to rest on Thursday. The neighbor who was shot in the leg had surgery and is recovering at a hospital.

This investigation is active and ongoing. More arrests are possible.

A police news conference is set for Friday. Channel 9 will stream it.

The investigation and subsequent arrests were carried out by detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Crime Gun Suppression Team, and Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, alongside the department’s Crime Analysis Division and local law enforcement partners.