CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The community is grieving after a shooting on Beatties Ford Road early Monday.
Kelly Miller, 28, Christopher Gleaton, 27, and 39-year-old Jamaa Keon Cassell died in the shooting.
At least six others were hospitalized after being shot. Five people had non-life threatening injuries after being hit by vehicles.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, around 400 people were gathered for an impromptu block party in the 1800 block of Beatties Ford Road, which was a continuation of Juneteenth celebrations.
Police said officers responded to a crash involving a pedestrian. As officers were responding to the scene, police said they heard several gunshots in the immediate area. Investigators believe several shooters discharged dozens of shots into the crowd.
On Monday afternoon, Million Youth March of Charlotte and Salisbury held a Black Lives Matter March walking from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church to the scene of the shooting.
Mark Raley who lost his cousin, Christopher Gleaton, during the shooting marched with the group.
“It was just hard to understand what’s going on. For him to be out just wanting to enjoy what’s going to happening here last night, it’s hurtful. It hurts and it has to stop,” Riley says.
Sheriff Garry McFadden participated in the march. He said he grew up in this neighborhood.
“We have to come together and stop just talking about it and find solutions for the Beatties Ford Road corridor,” McFadden says.
Deborah Woolard with Block Love CLT participated in the march. She usually delivers meals in the Beatties Ford Road area.
“This is an amazing community, this is historic West End and to know this stuff is still happening like this on our streets. We just need to come together and work on solutions now. Let’s talk about it, let’s be about it,” Woolard says. “We can’t wait another minute to let another life be lost.”
Evelyn Poe brought balloons to the memorials of the victims said enough is enough. Her granddaughter, Alysha Johnson, was killed on the same street a year ago.
“Still grieving for my Alysha and this hits my heart when I see another person being killed,” Poe says.
April Lewis, whose 20-year-old daughter was at the block party, was still shaken up about the situation.
“I was frozen. It was hard to take in, especially hearing the amount of firepower that was used,” Lewis says.
Lewis’ daughter ran away to escape the shots and didn’t get hurt.
“I’m thankful but yet still ridden with so much pain and sorrow,” Lewis says.
Lewis and others are ready to come together to help bring some change.
“We need to figure out how to better organize, support each other,” Lewis says.
If you have any information about the shooting, call 704-432-TIPS and speak with a homicide detective. You can leave tips anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.