A four-year-old boy was killed after gunmen opened fire on several occupied homes in Charlotte, North Carolina, in an overnight shooting that has led to the arrest of four teenagers and an adult.
Caleb Flax was asleep inside his home shortly before 3am on September 20 when one of at least 84 rounds fired during the attack struck him in the head.
He was taken to hospital but died approximately four hours later. An adult woman, identified as Kaley Collins, was also critically wounded but survived.
Seven Armed Suspects Allegedly Targeted Homes
According to court documents, seven armed individuals emerged from two stolen vehicles and opened fire on four occupied houses along the residential street.
Despite the volume of gunfire, no other occupants were killed or wounded. Police said nine additional adults and five children were inside the homes when the shooting occurred.
Investigators have described the case as an active and ongoing investigation as they work to identify everyone allegedly involved.
Four Teenagers Charged as Adults
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced the arrests of four teenagers in connection with the killing.
Ar’montae Johnson, 16, Jaylen Barber, 16, Antonio Ladson, 17, and Ian Garland, 17, are facing charges including murder, conspiracy and possession of a stolen vehicle. Prosecutors are charging all four as adults.
Terrance Jackson, 22, was also arrested and accused of being an accessory after the fact.
Police allege Jackson helped dispose of one of the vehicles used during the shooting.
Police Traced a Stolen Mercedes
Investigators began making progress the morning after the shooting when they located a stolen Mercedes-Benz believed to have been used in the attack.
A handgun magazine was reportedly found inside the vehicle. Detectives obtained permission to search the car and examined its electronic systems.
GPS information from the vehicle showed that it had been at the location of the shooting during the relevant period.
Investigators also discovered that an iPhone belonging to Johnson had previously connected to the Mercedes. Location data from the phone allegedly placed Johnson at the location where both vehicles used in the shooting had been stolen.
The second vehicle was identified as a 2018 Infiniti.
Investigators Say Teenager Linked Others to Attack
Johnson was arrested on September 23 and allegedly told investigators that he had driven the stolen Mercedes to an Airbnb gathering on September 19.
According to the arrest documents, Johnson said several people at the gathering discussed shooting a house in retaliation for an earlier shooting.
He allegedly handed over the Mercedes keys while knowing the individuals were armed.
Johnson also reportedly told investigators that the group returned after the shooting in a Jeep driven by Ladson after abandoning the Mercedes and Infiniti.
More Arrests Followed the Investigation
Ladson was arrested on September 25. During a search of his home, investigators reportedly recovered a Glock 27 from the attic.
Police said ammunition associated with the firearm was consistent with some of the rounds recovered at the shooting scene.
Investigators then examined Johnson’s phone records and identified communications with Barber around the time of the attack.
Barber was arrested on September 29 and allegedly admitted to investigators that he had left the Airbnb in the stolen Infiniti and participated in the shooting.
Police Identify Alleged Driver
Investigators said Johnson and Barber separately identified Garland as the person who drove the stolen Mercedes during the shooting.
Garland was arrested on September 30.
According to police, surveillance footage and other evidence helped corroborate portions of the accounts provided during the investigation.
Authorities have not yet arrested everyone they believe may have been involved.
Adult Suspect Accused of Helping Dispose of Vehicle
Jackson, the only adult among the five people arrested so far, was taken into custody on September 29.
Investigators allege he helped Johnson reprogram a key for the stolen Infiniti and arrange a buyer for the vehicle in South Carolina.
Police said Johnson subsequently drove the Infiniti to the buyer and sold it for $1,200, with the proceeds allegedly shared with Jackson.
Jackson has previous arrests involving stolen vehicle offenses, according to investigators.
Police Chief Condemns the Violence
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella D. Patterson condemned the shooting and said detectives had remained committed to finding those responsible.
“Caleb should have been safe in his own bed,” Patterson said, describing his death as an act of “unthinkable violence.”
She said the arrests represented the result of an intensive investigation but stressed that police would continue working until everyone responsible had been identified and brought before the courts.
Investigation Remains Open
Police say the case is still developing, with additional suspects believed to remain at large.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting, the stolen vehicles or the individuals involved to contact investigators.
The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation, but the allegations against the suspects will now be tested through the legal process.
