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Update: 16-Yr-Old and 18-Yr-Old Suspects Arrested in Shooting Series

Published on July 11, 2024

Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, July 11, 2024) – As a result of investigative work and proactive patrols by officers, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced the arrest of a 16-year-old juvenile suspect and an 18-year-old male suspect in a linked series of shooting incidents in the Metro and Steele Creek Divisions.

“We are extremely proud of the great work of our officers,” said Chief Johnny Jennings in a press conference this afternoon. “These were brazen crimes that put our community at risk and created a safety hazard for our community. CMPD personnel took this personally. They took this as a threat to the safety of the citizens of Charlotte and acted appropriately.”

The 16-year-old suspect is charged with 1^st Degree Murder. Additional charges are forthcoming. A secure custody order was applied for and granted by the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

The 18-year-old suspect has been identified as Carlos Roberto Diaz. He is charged with the following:

Murder (1^st Degree)
Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle (x2)
Felony Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Attempted Murder (x5)
Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling (x2)
Assault with a Deadly with Intent to Kill/Inflict Serious Injury

The CMPD is not looking for any additional suspects in connection this case.

Following the initial shooting series between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday July 9, CMPD’s Central and Providence Division’s Crime Reduction Units and J.A.D.E (Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment) Team, along with Division patrol officers proactively patrolled areas where the shooting incidents occurred.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, July 11, 2024, officers observed a suspicious vehicle in a patrolled area. Officers initiated a traffic stop and located a juvenile suspect believed to be connected to the series of shooting incidents inside of the vehicle. The juvenile was taken into custody without incident. Officers also recovered a firearm and the suspect’s vehicle.

The 16-year-old was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by Homicide detectives. During the course of the investigation, Carlos Roberto Diaz 18, was identified as a second suspect in this case.

In the afternoon hours of Thursday July 11, 2024, the CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), with assistance from FBI Charlotte, located and arrested Mr. Diaz without incident and transported him to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by Homicide detectives. At the conclusion of the interview, Diaz was transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. The 16-year-old juvenile was transferred into the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Based on the investigation, detectives believe the 16-year-old suspect intended to engage in additional violent criminal activity. Due to the great proactive work by officers and Homicide detectives, they likely prevented any additional harm to innocent victims.

The time frame, proximity, and evidence collected led detectives to believe the five shooting incidents that occurred between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9 were linked. Forensic lab testing has since confirmed at least three of those incidents are linked. Lab testing will continue to determine if the additional incidents are linked.

The investigation into these cases is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Diekhaus is the lead detective assigned to this case. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For additional information, please refer to the following reports: 20240709-0116-01, 20240709-0109-00, 20240709-013201 and 20240709-0133-00.

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$10,000 Reward for Information that Leads to the Arrest of Suspect in Shooting Series

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, July 9, 2024) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in what detectives believe to be a linked series of shooting incidents in the Metro and Steele Creek Divisions.

On Tuesday, July 9, shortly after 1:00 a.m., Metro Division officers responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call for service in the 3800 block of Statesville Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a victim with an apparent gunshot wound. MEDIC pronounced the victim deceased on the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was traveling northbound on Statesville Avenue when gunshots were fired from a suspect vehicle into the victim’s vehicle, striking the victim.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct their investigation and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, the Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC also assisted.

During the approximate time frame of 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., there were four more shooting incidents in the Metro Division. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Lasalle Street and Newland Road for an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call for service. Officers located a bicyclist who stated he was shot at in the area. The victim was not injured.

A short time later, officers located a victim who stated his vehicle was struck by gunfire while he was driving on Lasalle Street near I-77. The victim was not injured.

During the course of the investigation of the Lasalle Street shooting incident, Metro Division officers responded to the 2100 block of Catherine Simmons Drive. Officers located a group of individuals standing outside who reported a suspect in a vehicle fired multiple rounds in their direction. Officers also discovered a nearby residence that had been struck by gunfire. A female victim inside of the residence was struck and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. Steele Creek Division officers responded to a report of a bicyclist struck by gunfire in the 100 block of Hilary Circle. MEDIC transported the victim to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While canvassing the area, officers located a nearby residence in the 100 block of Kingsford Drive that was subsequently struck by gunfire. There were no injuries reported inside of the residence.

Upon further investigation and based on the time frame, proximity, and evidence collected, detectives believe the shooting incidents could be connected. Detectives continue to process evidence in this investigation. At this time, there is no suspect information to provide and no arrests have been made.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in this investigation.

To view graphics from today’s press conference click here: https://cmpd.pica9.com/cd/boards/show/hash/93b7d883-283c-060c-d15a-f50bab1b7ea6.

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