Suspect in woman’s fatal shooting in Charlotte arrested in SC after pursuit, police say
Editor’s note: This story was updated Dec. 21, 2021, with the name of the victim and the suspect.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of a woman in Charlotte on Monday was arrested after driving into South Carolina to evade arrest, police said.
Just after 1:46 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to reports of gunshots near the 1300 block of Long Grass Court. Officers found an adult female who appeared to have been shot multiple times. Officers rendered medical aid until Medic arrived and took the victim to Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said.
The victim died at the hospital, CMPD said. She was identified Tuesday as 47-year-old Paula Michelle Henson.
Police identified a possible suspect and began a search for their vehicle. Officers found the suspect vehicle nearby and tried to make a traffic stop, police said. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit began. CMPD’s helicopter and canine units assisted in the pursuit, until the suspect vehicle entered South Carolina where York County sheriff’s deputies took over.
The pursuit ended at 2:17 pm in a wooded area near Interstate 77, south of Rock Hill, according to The Herald. The suspect fled on foot but was caught about 15 minutes later, officials said.
On Tuesday, CMPD said a warrant was obtained against 49-year-old Ernest Ali Santiago on a first-degree murder charge. Santiago is awaiting extradition to Charlotte in York County.
This is Charlotte’s 95th homicide this year, according to CMPD data.
Around 12:10 a.m. Monday, police found 19-year-old Quantae Young’s body with gunshot wounds outside an apartment building in the 1100 block of Gold Rush Boulevard in northeast Charlotte
Anyone with information about either shooting can call 704-432-8477 and speak directly to a homicide detective. Information also can be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.
Andrew Dys of the (Rock Hill ) Herald contributed to this article.
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 5:49 PM.
