In a recent development from Mooresville, North Carolina, local authorities are investigating a series of gunshots that were reported over the weekend. According to a social media post by the Mooresville Police Department, several phone calls and a ShotSpotter alert notified police of the shooting incident on the night of December 12.
Upon their arrival at Lark Glen Drive at approximately 9:04 p.m., officers found multiple spent shell casings in the street. Further investigation led authorities to quickly ascertain that two males were targeted in a suspected ambush by individuals positioned near another apartment building. The males, whom police believe were intended victims, claimed to have not known who shot at them. They further stated that they did not attempt to fire back during the incident, trying instead to quickly escape back to an apartment on the same street. According to statements collected by detectives, a "strong odor of marijuana" was noted near the apartment where the said individuals took refuge, as per the Mooresville Police Department Facebook post.
However, the situation gained further complexity when surveillance footage was reviewed. It was revealed that one of the males, a minor and thereby legally prohibited to carry a firearm, did discharge a weapon while fleeing to the apartment. A subsequent search warrant executed at their sanctuary unfolded the discovery of three firearms, one reported as stolen and another with an altered serial number. Further, with gang-affiliated individuals showing up at the crime scene, the investigation confirmed the involvement of gang activity.
Despite these findings, the Department of Public Safety Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention elected to not issue a secure custody order for any of the involved juveniles.
