Teen in fatal Charlotte shooting spree had guns and ammo in his home, warrant shows
A teenager arrested in connection to the fatal July 9 random shooting spree in Charlotte had guns and ammunition in his home, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported, citing a police search warrant.
Mustaffa Muhammad, 58, died when someone shot into the car he was driving, and others were shot and injured during the early morning spree, police said. Bullets were fired from a car at bicyclists, people in cars and others gathered on a Charlotte street, the Observer previously reported.
“These were brazen crimes — crimes that put our community at risk,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a news conference later on the day of the shootings.
Police arrested 18-year-old Carlos Roberto Diaz and a 16-year-old on first-degree murder and other charges.
Officers searched Diaz’s home on Misty Wood Drive in northeast Charlotte the same day that FBI agents and CMPD officers arrested him, WSOC reported.
According to the search warrant, investigators found two 9mm handguns, ammunition, a camouflage hood mask, ear protection safety glasses and a ProMag drum, which stores rounds of ammunition.
During a July 11 press conference announcing the arrests, Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington said police believe the 16-year-old suspect was looking for other random victims to shoot when an officer spotted the teen exhibiting “suspicious behavior” and stopped his car.
“Based on the evidence and the actions the officers observed, there was no doubt that he was going to continue his crime spree,” Arrington said. “He was actively out there looking for another opportunity.”
Police found a gun, which officers confirmed was stolen, in the car and took the 16-year-old driver into custody, she said. Police said they’re still investigating how the gun was stolen.