CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have charged a teenager from Georgia and three others in the shooting in uptown Charlotte Monday.
- A 16 year old has been arrested and charged with attempted murder.
- A fight broke out in the EpiCentre when shots were fired and a man was struck by a stray bullet while walking.
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They say Raheem Shacklette, 16, is charged with attempted murder for the shooting of 74-year-old John Holaday who officials say is in critical condition. Police say Holaday was walking to a business meeting and was hit in the back of the neck by the stray bullet along College Street. Holaday was then taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a fight broke inside the EpiCentre around 4 p.m. when shots were fired. Shacklette is also charged with possession of a stolen firearm and possessing of a firearm by a minor.
Police spoke about safety in Uptown during a press conference Tuesday.
"Uptown is in fact safe. This is not about the location. It's about a 16 year old who is making a bad decision, a critical decision and it ends up hurting a innocent bystander," Captain Julie Barry said.
Dr. Holaday is the founder and CEO of a company helping to fight the opioid crisis called DisposeRx. The president released a statement about the shooting:
The DisposeRx family is in shock that a random unrelated altercation could result in profound injuries to our chief executive officer,” said William Simpson, DisposeRx President. “But we know John. He is strong and healthy, and he is a fighter. We will stand by John, his wife and sons as he recovers, and we remain committed to fulfilling his vision and mission at DisposeRx. We’d like to thank the Charlotte emergency responders for their prompt onsite care provided to Dr. Holaday.
This shooting remains under investigation.