2 killed, 3 hurt in shootings across Charlotte – all in less than 24 hours

Charlotte has witnessed an unusual outbreak of violence since Thursday night, with two homicides and three others hurt in shootings, including one where police fired at a man armed with a knife.

13-year-old shot during robbery

The first shooting occurred at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday when a 13-year-old was shot in the leg as four or five assailants robbed him at gunpoint, police said. The boy was shot in the 2900 block of Forestbrook Drive, off Tuckaseegee Road near Billy Graham Parkway in west Charlotte.

Jabari Pugh, 18, is accused of shooting the 13-year-old, who was hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening. Pugh was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

On Friday morning, police said a 15-year-old also was charged in the case and is under arrest. His name was not released due to his age.

Shot fired from car hits man in hotel room

At 7:50 p.m. Thursday, a man in his 50s was shot in his ankle in his room at Inn Towne Suites in the 7100 block of Albemarle Road in east Charlotte.

The shooter was probably in a car outside the man’s room, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Lt. Andrew Harris said. Both knew each other and had been in a dispute, according to Harris. Police have a person of interest, he said.

The victim was taken to Carolinas Medical Center with injuries not considered life-threatening.

Man found fatally shot in northwest Charlotte yard

Just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday, a man was fatally shot in the 300 block of Rhyne Station Road, near the Interstate 485 Outer Loop in northwest Charlotte.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police identified the victim as Matthew Duke Gibbons, 25. He was found with a gunshot wound in the front yard of a home, and Medic pronounced him dead at the scene.

Willie Devon James Jr., 28, was taken voluntarily to police headquarters, where he was interviewed and charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by felon.

Body found in woods near church and park

Shortly before 10 a.m. Friday, a man was found shot to death near a church and a park in northeast Charlotte.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police were called to the 9100 block of Newell Baptist Church Road, after someone found the victim’s body in woods beside a church. The church is next to Newell Park.

The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Police shoot man who was armed with a knife

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday, police shot a man who was armed with a knife in northwest Charlotte.

Police shot the man in the 3200 block of Timberbrook Drive, after responding to a call about an apparent suicide attempt.

During the encounter, the man showed “signs of distress,” CMPD Chief Kerr Putney said. An officer perceived an imminent threat and shot the man at least once, according to Putney.

The man was hospitalized, and police said they will release his name after contacting his family

This story was originally published February 2, 2018 at 5:21 PM with the headline "2 killed, 3 hurt in shootings across Charlotte – all in less than 24 hours."