Second Victim Dies Following Charlotte Home Invasion, Kidnapping, and Police Shootout
A second person has died from injuries sustained during a violent series of events that began with a home invasion and kidnapping in north Charlotte on Thursday, escalating into a police chase and shootout.
Shabazz Grant, 34, died yesterday from gunshot wounds, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He and Justin Carlton, 38, were found shot near the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue around 4 p.m. on October 23rd. Carlton died shortly after arriving at the hospital. The incidents have prompted increased concern regarding violent crime in the area.
Police identified Joseph Andrade, 28, as the suspect in both the shooting and the kidnapping of a woman from a nearby home. A pursuit ensued after Andrade was spotted driving with the woman as a passenger, during which he allegedly fired at officers before crashing at Freedom and Morehead Streets. “He approached additional officers on Morehead Street where he pointed a firearm at at least one of the officers and the officers then returned fire,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings stated in a video statement. Andrade died at the scene, and a firearm was recovered. The kidnapped woman was found uninjured.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the police-involved shooting, standard procedure in such cases, while CMPD is leading the investigation into the assault, homicide, and kidnapping. Jennings noted that investigators are still working to determine a motive, stating, “We’re still piecing a lot of different things together.” You can find more information about CMPD investigations on their official website and learn about the impact of gun violence from Everytown Research.
Authorities continue to piece together the events and are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
