Health center CEO describes panic after Charlotte back-to-school event gunfire
The mother of a CMS student got into an argument at a back-to-school event in west Charlotte Saturday afternoon and fired shots into the air, sending a crowd of children and parents running in panic according to police and a video posted online.
The shooting happened shortly after 1 p.m. and no one was injured, but video shows women pushing toddlers in strollers and children of various ages in close proximity.
Cherez Monique Davis, 34, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and going armed to the terror of the people after pulling a gun out of backpack and firing two shots in the air, according to court records filed in her arrest.
The back to school event was held at the annual health fair of the C. W. Williams Community Health Center on Wilkinson Boulevard. The clinic’s annual event is where students can get vaccinations, physicals, and free school supplies.
A police affidavit said Davis’ son was arguing with another boy. An adult stepped in, and then Davis pulled out a Taurus G6 pistol from her backpack and fired. She then put the gun back in her backpack and walked away. She was being held Monday in the Mecklenburg jail with bond set at $50,000.
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams of Charlotte, City Council member Victoria Watlington, county Commissioner Yvette Townsend-Ingram and other Charlotte officials and state lawmakers attended the health clinic.
Health Center CEO responds
Up until the shooting, Debra Weeks, CEO of the health center, said she was sure it was the organization’s most successful event in a decade. Attendance was huge, music was blasting, kids were smiling. “It was like an old school block party,” Weeks said in an interview with The Charlotte Observer Monday afternoon.
There’s never been any kind of violence at past events, she said. Her main concern as she and staff walked around the event was the long lines for food. She’s been worried about families experiencing food insecurity.
The panic from Davis firing her gun caused a lot of confusion, Weeks said.
Some people ran onto Wilkinson Boulevard without look for oncoming traffic, while others ran inside the health center. While many were trying to get away from the gunfire, others were worried police arriving on scene were ICE agents on a raid, Weeks said.
She said she was grateful no one was hurt, and for the police’s fast response.
CMPD was on hand for the event but had left, as were members of the sheriff’s office.
“I think if the presence had still been there, I don’t think she would have been as free to respond that way,” Weeks said.
Weeks said she was saddened that a successful and otherwise happy event was overshadowed by this incident, but she was also worried about Davis. And she hoped that people wouldn’t be deterred from coming to next year’s event.
“We want people to know it’s safe,” she said.
Weeks said she wondered why anyone felt the need to bring a gun to a back-to-school event.
One thing that stuck out to Weeks, was when Davis apologized at the end of the event.
“They gave her the mic,” Weeks said. “She had to say she’s no longer welcome on the property ... and all she could say was, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’”
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM.
