Busload of Charlotte middle school students witnessed road rage shooting, CMS says

A busload of Charlotte middle school students witnessed a road rage shooting on West Boulevard, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

It happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, and gun fire did not hit the bus, police said in a news release.

“A shooting between two vehicles occurred in front of a school bus transporting Quail Hollow Middle School students,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported in a statement.

“There were no injuries and all students made it home safely before 7:30 p.m. ... We will have counselors at school check in with students (Wednesday morning) to care for their emotional well-being.”

Four suspects, including a 19-year-old, have been arrested and charged in the case, CMPD said in an update.

Surveillance video indicates it “was a road rage incident” that began when someone in a black Dodge Charger fired shots at another vehicle in traffic, CMPD said.

“The victim was not injured and there was no return gunfire,” police said.

“Officers located the Dodge Charger around 10 p.m. and initiated a vehicle pursuit that lasted approximately 10 minutes. ... Two firearms were recovered, including one that was reported stolen.”

Charges against the four suspects include: discharging a firearm into a moving vehicle; resisting/delaying/obstructing officers; possession of a firearm by a felon and felony speeding to elude, CMPD said.

Investigators say the school bus was “traveling the same direction on West Boulevard” as the Dodge Charger when the shooting occurred.

“The bus was not struck and no one aboard was injured. One car was struck, but the driver was not injured,” police said.

This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 6:14 AM with the headline "Busload of Charlotte middle school students witnessed road rage shooting, CMS says."