Security call for public urination led to deadly uptown shooting after suspect fired
A security officer in uptown Charlotte returned fire, killing a man who was being approached for reportedly urinating on the side of a building, police say.
Two security guards working near the Charlotte transit center responded to complaints of disturbance and public urination at about 12:30 a.m. Friday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Lt. Kevin Pietrus said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
When they found Kashaune Lavonne TeaI, 24, near the side of the building, Teal tried to shoot the security guards, but the bullet fired in an unknown direction after one of the guards pushed the gun away, Pietrus said.
One of the guards, believing the man posed a “deadly threat,” then fired two or three shots at Teal, Pietrus said. Paramedics said Teal died at the scene, which was underneath the light rail bridge on the East 4th Street side of the former Epicentre complex.
The guards work for Allied Security, privately contracted by the Queen City Quarter — The Epicentre’s new name, Pietrus said.
A 911 caller reported “an assault with deadly weapon” at the Charlotte Transportation Center, which covers an entire block between East 4th and Trade streets.
“Officers immediately arrived on scene and located one victim with an apparent gunshot wound. Medic also responded and pronounced the victim deceased,” CMPD said.
No other injuries were reported. Police have not arrested or charged the security guards. Pietrus said they were cooperating with the investigation, which is being led by the Homicide Unit.
The gun Teal used was found on the scene.
“It is our understanding that CMPD has made an initial decision that this shooting was justified,” Mike Stolp, a spokesperson for the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s office, said in a message to The Charlotte Observer. “This office routinely consults with law enforcement on homicides that investigative agencies have determined to be justified. In accordance with our common practice, upon completion of their investigation, should law enforcement make a final decision that a shooting is justified, we will meet with CMPD to provide a consultation on that decision not to charge.”
Crime near uptown Charlotte
CMPD on Friday clarified the shooting happened near the transit hub but not at the CATS transit center as previously reported. The Epicentre was foreclosed last year and is being revitalized as Queen City Quarter.
This year, CMPD officers launched the “Operation Heartbeat” initiative to combat violent crime concentrated near the transit center. This year, police have seen five violent crimes in the area. At the same time last year, there had been 12, Pietrus said.
Within the department’s Central Division, there has been an 18% decrease in violent crime compared to last year.
Public safety and criminal justice reporter Ryan Oehrli contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 5:14 AM.
