Two dead following shooting at block party in North Carolina

The shooting took place at about 12:30 a.m. in north Charlotte on Beatties Ford Road close to Catherine Simmons Avenue. There were hundreds of people present at the event.

Officers received initial calls about a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle and arrived at the large gathering as shots began to go off, say Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene after officers found her lying on the street with a gunshot wound. Another shooting victim was transported to the hospital but died shortly after arriving, say police.

Police believe multiple shooters may be involved, though there have been no arrests made as of yet.

“Preliminary information gathered during the investigation indicates that several shooters discharged dozens of shots into the crowd who had been gathered in the area,” say police.

CMPD says a total of nine people were shot including the two that died. The other seven were taken to a nearby hospital, and so were five others who were struck by vehicles. About five of the people suffering from gunshot wounds had serious injuries and those hit by vehicles had minor injuries.

According to witnesses, people were gathered on the road in celebration of Juneteenth all weekend in what was initially a peaceful celebration.

Police have blocked Beatties Ford Road from Dr. Weber Ave and LaSalle Street as they investigate the incident.

Police are asking people with information about the incident to call detectives at 704-432-TIPS or leave information with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.