Tragedy struck in west Charlotte over the weekend when a 2-year-old girl, Lei’Loni Kinard, was critically injured after a shooting occurred at the Evoke Living apartments. Early Sunday morning, gunfire hit multiple homes, with bullets piercing walls and windows and resulting in injuries to a child who was asleep. According to WBTV, Lei’Loni suffered gunshot wounds and has undergone several surgeries with possibly more to come.
Responding swiftly to the harrowing scene, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer rushed the child to the hospital, where she is now in stable condition, as reported by WCNC. Despite the tumultuous moments and rendering lifesaving assistance, investigators have not yet released information regarding potential suspects while the search for those responsible continues.
The incident, which occurred around 1:40 a.m. on Evoke Living Lane. WSOC-TV details how Lei’Loni Kinard, who had just experienced her first visit to Carowinds and enjoyed playing with Barbie dolls, was struck by stray bullets while she slept.
After the shots disrupted the night, a frantic scene ensued inside the apartment, with her aunt discovering the injured child. "It was terrible, it was terrible to see her like that she kept going in and out she didn’t deserve that we don’t talk to nobody over here she doesn’t deserve that she was just an innocent child laying down," the aunt conveyed the terror of the night to WSOC-TV. The community is urged to come forward with any information, and can anonymously reach out to Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
