Residents in a south Charlotte neighborhood are describing the frightening moments they witnessed after a carjacking turned into a shooting that left a 17-year-old seriously injured.
The incident happened Wednesday night at the end of Sedgefield Road, a normally quiet residential area where neighbors said violent crime is extremely uncommon. Police said suspects stole a vehicle and shot the teenager before fleeing the scene.
The shooting has left residents shocked, especially those who have lived in the area for years and considered the neighborhood safe.
Neighbors Rush to Help Injured Teen
Matthew Washington, who has lived in the community for about three years, said he was stunned by what happened.
“I never experienced anything like this in this neighborhood, or anywhere around here,” Washington said.
Washington was among the neighbors who came outside after hearing what happened and helped the injured teenager before emergency responders arrived.
He said several women were the first to reach the victim and contacted police. When he arrived, he found the teen lying on the ground and screaming in pain.
“I came out here, and a young man was lying on the ground, screaming in pain, and I went to go get a towel,” Washington said.
Neighbors helped assist and applied pressure to the victim’s injuries while waiting for police and medical crews to arrive.
Witness Describes Moments Before Shooting
Another neighbor, Jae Eaton, photographed the police response and said the incident was shocking because of how safe residents usually feel in the area.
“It’s a big surprise,” Eaton said. “I’ve always felt safe leaving my car unlocked out here being as tucked in as we are.”
A different neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said he witnessed several people approach the victim’s vehicle before the shooting.
The witness said he heard what sounded like someone hitting the car, possibly trying to force the teenager out.
“You heard the stick hit the car, like they were trying to get him to get out of the car,” the neighbor said.
He said there was a brief pause before gunfire erupted.
“A couple of seconds went by, you heard the gunshot. A couple of more seconds went by, you heard the tires peeling out and I saw them when they pulled out,” he recalled.
Suspects Fled in Stolen Vehicle
According to authorities, the suspects left the area in the stolen vehicle following the shooting.
Police and the North Carolina Highway Patrol later located and stopped the vehicle near Interstate 77 and Tyvola Road. However, the suspects reportedly abandoned the vehicle and ran away on foot.
No arrests had been announced as of the latest update.
Police Continue Investigation
Authorities have not released additional details about the suspects or what led to the carjacking.
The 17-year-old victim suffered serious injuries, but officials have not provided an update on his current condition.
Washington said neighbors stayed with the teen until help arrived.
“They put pressure on the wound, and then we called the police and called his mother and just waited till they got there,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify and locate the people responsible for the carjacking and shooting.
