Two individuals were hospitalized after a road rage incident escalated into gunfire on Interstate 485 in southwest Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The shooting, near South Tryon Street yesterday afternoon, caused a brief traffic disruption as authorities and emergency services responded. WCNC reported that the confrontation began on the highway, and Anil Dabydeen was identified as the man who discharged a weapon, according to authorities.
After the shooting, law enforcement pursued Dabydeen, capturing him in a neighborhood on Ballybay Drive, a few miles from the scene. A stolen firearm was recovered during the arrest. CMPD stated that the victims' injuries are serious but not life-threatening, according to a WCCB Charlotte report. Dabydeen is facing multiple charges, including possession of a stolen firearm and assault with a deadly weapon.
In a statement obtained by WSOC-TV, resident Will Awad recounted saying to his wife during the incident, "I was on a conference call, and actually I heard first the helicopter overhead and then I heard the police cars flying by. I got up and said to my wife, ‘Are the doors locked downstairs just to be safe?’ And she said, ‘Yeah, they are.’"Additionally, Maleah Freeman, another local, described witnessing the scene as police apprehended Dabydeen, mentioning, "He was cooperative; he was very cooperative. He got out of the car, and he put his hands against the car."
The incident caused only a brief disruption to traffic, with normal operations resuming on South Tryon Street about 30 minutes later. CMPD is continuing to investigate the circumstances leading to the shooting. Dabydeen's past convictions and current charges may provide insight into the events that led to the incident. He is scheduled to appear in court at 10 a.m. today.
