After shooting of CEO in uptown, CMPD makes arrests and assures: ‘Center city is safe’

The shooting of a bystander near a high-rise restaurant building fire in uptown Charlotte Monday has resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old accused of attempted murder and three other people on misdemeanor charges, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

The shooting also prompted a press conference in which CMPD sought to assure uptown workers and visitors that center city is safe.

“We’re going to continue to combat these crimes that are taking place that are completely unnecessary,” said CMPD Capt. Julie Barry.

Investigators say the shooting victim is 74-year-old John Waldron Holaday and he was hospitalized with critical injuries. The shooting occurred just before 4 p.m., on North College Street, according to a CMPD press release. At the time, Charlotte Fire Department was responding to a three-alarm restaurant fire.

CMPD says the shooting and the fire appear to be unrelated but that first responders were able to reach Holaday “almost immediately due to their close proximity.”

Holaday is the founder and CEO of DisposeRx, and was in uptown for a business meeting, according to a release from the company. He remains in critical condition, the company said.

‘Center city is safe’

The fire broke out around 3 p.m. at Rooster’s Wood-Fire Kitchen in the 100 block of N. College Street, near the Bank of America Center, reported the Observer’s news partner WBTV. Firefighters told WBTV the fire was on the second floor of the high-rise building and the Charlotte Fire Department says the fire caused $1.5 million in damage.

Shots were heard as crews battled the fire Monday.

Police told media outlets that Holaday was an innocent bystander, and may have been hit by a bullet that was fired inside the Epicenter, WBTV reported. Investigators have not said what prompted the altercation.

On Tuesday, police charged 16-year-old Raheem Shacklette in the case, according to a Mecklenburg County jail records.

“Shacklette was one of the several subjects initially detained by officers,” a release said. “He has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor.”

Later Tuesday, CMPD announced three other arrests, saying three people had been charged with “simple affray” for participating in a fight that occurred just before the shooting. Simple affray, according to CMPD, refers to “a fight with at least one person in a public place that disturbs the peace.” It’s a misdemeanor charge.

Those arrested for simple affray are Taizojh Smith, 17, Hazeem Shacklette, 19, and Ulondis Edwards, 20, according to CMPD.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation. As additional information develops, it will be released,” CMPD said in a release.

During a news conference Tuesday, CMPD Capt. Julie Barry said officers in the Central Division, which includes uptown, are working hard to ensure the area remains a safe place for both residents and visitors. Barry said the shooting — like many others so far this year in Charlotte, including homicides — appears to have stemmed from a dispute or an argument. The case, she said, is still under investigation.

So far, Barry said, investigators believe “the argument was done and then the suspect decides to fire a gun.” CMPD said several people were involved in an argument and that Holaday was simply walking nearby when he was shot.

Barry said CMPD believes Charlotte is experiencing an uptick in violent crimes just as many other major U.S. cities are. Violent crimes in CMPD’s Central Division are up about 8 percent so far this year compared to this time last year.

Still, Barry said, “It’s a safe city, it really is.”

“Center city is a safe place to work, to live, to bring your family to dinner or to just visit uptown,” Barry said.

This story was originally published September 30, 2019 at 3:45 PM.