Two Dead, 12 Injured After “Several Shooters” Fire Shots Into Crowd At Juneteenth Celebration

Tragedy struck early Monday morning after gunshots rang out at an ”impromptu” Juneteenth block party in northwest Charlotte.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the incident occurred in the 1800 block of Beatties Ford Road, around 12:30 am, after a weekend of Juneteenth celebrations. Two people were killed at the celebration, and at least 12 were injured after chaos erupted in the area.

Police say five of the 12 injures were struck by cars, as many scattered and scrambled across the streets to escape the gunfire. About six of the 12 suffered life-threatening injuries.

According to Charlotte Observer, officials were initially called to the scene to address a car accident, where a pedestrian was hit shortly after 12. However, “a short time later, they located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound, lying in the roadway on Beatties Ford Road. The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by a Medic,” CMPD said in a press release.

After further investigation, officials revealed eight other people were struck by gunfire in the area. Of those victims, one was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where they later died.

Although the motive and targets remain unclear, officials say there were multiple shooters, who “discharged dozens of shots into the crowd.”

“CMPD detectives are investigating a homicide in the 1800 Beatties Ford Rd. One person has been pronounced deceased at the scene. Several other victims have been transported by Medic with gunshot wounds,” police said in a statement on Twitter, before announcing the road closures amid the homicide investigation.