What started as a routine Sunday afternoon in Albemarle turned violent when gunfire on Inger Street left two men seriously wounded and a 26-year-old in handcuffs, according to police.
Officers with the Albemarle Police Department responded to the 1400 block of Inger Street, near the North Carolina 27 bypass, around 1 p.m. Sunday, where they found two men suffering from serious gunshot wounds, WSOC reports. Both victims were taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities say the suspected shooter, 26-year-old Albemarle resident Devonte Wall, was later arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Police say the shooting happened on Inger Street off Leonard Avenue, a short stretch that has now seen repeated violence in recent months. The case quickly turned from emergency response to criminal investigation as detectives worked to piece together what led up to the gunfire.
Investigation and tips
Detectives from the Albemarle Police Department are working the case alongside the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Investigators say Wall was known to the victims, according to WCCB Charlotte, which adds another layer of complexity to what already appears to be a targeted act of violence rather than a random attack.
As they continue to track down leads, police are asking anyone who might have seen or heard anything around the time of the shooting to speak up. Tips can be shared anonymously by calling the Albemarle Police Department’s tip line at 704-984-9511.
Charges and what comes next
Wall faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, according to WSOC. He has been booked into the Stanly County system and is expected to move through the county courts as prosecutors build their case.
For now, Wall is presumed innocent in the eyes of the law while investigators and attorneys sort through the evidence. The legal process is likely to stretch on for months, even as neighbors continue to deal with the immediate fallout of violence on their block.
Local context
Sunday’s shooting did not happen in a vacuum. The Inger Street incident comes on the heels of other violent episodes in the Albemarle area this year, including a February shooting on Leonard Avenue detailed in teen busted after juvenile hit coverage. Residents have told reporters they are frustrated and want answers, hoping this latest investigation will bring some accountability and, eventually, a little more peace back to their streets.
