Charlotte police make arrest in killing of 16-year-old boy shot in Target deck
A 16-year-old boy who was shot at the Target parking deck in midtown Charlotte on Wednesday night died after being taken to a hospital, said a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police major. Another teen was charged.
Maj. Stephen Fischbach said in a video on X that the shooting occurred at 8 p.m. in the 900 block of Metropolitan Avenue.
An off-duty CMPD officer in the area was listening to his radio when the call came and went searching for the boy, Fischbach said.
The officer found the teenager with gunshot wounds and gave aid while waiting for MEDIC. The boy died shortly after, Fischbach said.
CMPD identified the 16-year-old as Alexander Cruz Martinez on Thursday morning.
A 17-year-old was charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony conspiracy and felony obstruction, a CMPD press release said Friday.
The press release said another shooting was reported shortly after the shooting at the parking deck. Police found the 17-year-old with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. He was arrested after he was released from the hospital, CMPD said.
Police did not release further details of the second shooting. The 17-year-old suspect was not identified. Police did not comment on what they believe led to the shooting.
CMPD asked that people with information contact the department’s homicide unit at 704-432-8477.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 10:21 AM.
