Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of five shootings in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, one of whom is believed to have crossed the southern border into the United States illegally, according to reports.
Carlos Roberto Diaz, 18, and an unnamed 16-year-old boy were arrested in connection with the shooting. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are not searching for any other suspects.
“These were brazen crimes. Crimes that put our community at risk and posed a safety threat,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a news conference.
The charges against Diaz include one count of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle, one count of conspiracy to murder, five counts of attempted murder, two counts of shooting at an occupied dwelling and one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury.
The 16-year-old suspect has been charged with first-degree murder and is expected to face additional charges.
Thrice-time deported man returns to California, starts deadly fire in home with mother and child: sources
18-year-old Carlos Roberto Diaz was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a series of five shootings in Charlotte. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department)
Diaz, a native of Honduras, was in the U.S. illegally at the time of his arrest, sources say. He told WSOCAccording to the media, Diaz was 14 years old in 2019 when he encountered border patrol agents along the Rio Grande in Mexico.
All of the shootings happened between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Metro and Steele Creek areas, police said in a press release.
Early Thursday morning, officers observed a suspicious vehicle matching the description of one involved in the shooting in their patrol area on East Arrowood Road and conducted a traffic stop, during which a juvenile suspect believed to be connected to the shooting was inside the vehicle. Officers took the suspect into custody and recovered the stolen firearm, shell casings and an extended magazine.
Detectives believe the 16-year-old intended to commit further violent crimes.
Illegal immigrant accused of murdering Maryland mother Rachel Morin faces maximum sentence if convicted
All of the shootings happened between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. (Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
According to WSOC, the 16-year-old admitted to police that he carried out the shooting after going to a party with Diaz, which led to Diaz’s arrest. The FBI worked with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police to help capture Diaz.
Police said the shootings are believed to be related based on the characteristics of the vehicle the suspect was driving, the shell casings used, and the time and proximity of the incidents. Forensic laboratory testing has confirmed that at least three of the incidents are related, and lab testing will continue to determine if the other incidents are related.
The shooting remains under investigation.
