Charlotte man shot and killed while being treated in an ambulance, CMPD says

Gunfire broke out inside a Medic ambulance early Wednesday on Woodlawn Road, resulting in the death of a man being treated by paramedics, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Police identified the victim as 34-year-old Jeremy Whitted and have arrested a suspect.

No paramedics were injured by gunfire, officials said.

The incident happened at 3:46 a.m. at the Day’s Inn, in the 100 block of East Woodlawn Road, the release said.

Investigators say an on-site security guard at the hotel called 911 about a disturbance involving at least two individuals, officials said.

“MEDIC was also dispatched to the scene to treat one of the individuals involved in the disturbance,” the release said.

“While MEDIC personnel were treating the victim in their ambulance, the suspect shot the victim. Officers were able to immediately take the suspect into custody.”

Police later identified the suspect as 32-year-old Prentice Bess, who is in custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and has been charged with murder, officials said.

The victim died at the scene, police said in a tweet.

Investigators told the Observer’s news partner WBTV the ambulance was called after one of “five or six people” gathered in the hotel parking lot reported shortness of breath.

The station says the ailing man “requested a friend to come assist him” in the ambulance, and when Medic staff denied the request “the suspect left, came back and shot the victim several times.”

Homicide detectives are searching for witnesses, the release said. Anyone with information can call 704-432-8477 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 9:32 AM.