CHARLOTTE — Ina Lang, 50, a dedicated Bank of America employee and mother of five, was killed in a shooting Friday morning at a northwest Charlotte bank, and 22-year-old Sam’on Smith has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Lang was a wife, mother of five and a hard-working woman. Her husband of eight years told Channel 9 that she worked for Bank of America for almost 20 years.
He has no idea why she was killed, but he thinks she might have been out back of the branch on a smoke break when she was attacked. Police said it appeared to be a random act of violence
A memorial near the scene on Callabridge Court is growing as longtime customers try to cope with her death.
“She’s going to be greatly missed, and that smile,” said customer Stacie Stevenson. “Her smile. It was contagious She made you laugh.”
Stevenson told Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe that she’s been a customer at the branch for more than 20 years.
“When I first met her, she was a teller, and then she moved up to the office,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson said Lang always showed customers that she cared.
“She would talk to you, your family, her family, and also help you out, especially, with technology, dealing with the phone -- give me your phone, let me see it, and help me out,” she said.
Lang’s family is devastated by this tragedy. Her husband, who didn’t want to speak on camera, told Channel 9 he wants answers as to why this happened.
Lang’s loved ones have started a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and support her children.
The branch was closed on Monday so co-workers, friends, and family can grieve.
The investigation
The bank’s surveillance cameras captured the crime.
The video reportedly shows the suspect get out of a yellow Dodge Charger with black racing stripes, walk straight to Lang, shoot her twice in the back and then get back in the car and leave, according to court documents.
Police interviewed three witnesses who all reported hearing two gunshots then seeing someone get into a yellow Dodge Charger and leave the scene. They also saw Lang on the ground.
Smith was quickly tracked down at his parent’s home where he lives.
Smith’s criminal past
George Wise is the suspect’s uncle.
“My sister told me that the police was surrounding the house and she needed me over there,” Wise said.
Smith doesn’t have much of a criminal footprint in North Carolina. He has been issued two citations: one for traffic and the other for carrying a concealed weapon. He was not arrested in either case.
“He’s never been the type of dude that be on the block or out there banging,” said Wise. “He just a good dude, you know?”
A Bank of America Spokesperson sent us the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our Bank of America teammates. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.
WATCH: CMPD: Homicide investigation after shooting at northwest Charlotte bank
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
