CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An innocent couple shot during a robbery in the middle of Plaza Midwood is making progress in the hospital, according to family members.
Relatives told Channel 9 that Bruce and Joanne Parker had just enjoyed dinner with friends at Bistro La Bon when they walked to their car around 11 p.m. Saturday night and were shot during a robbery.
PHOTOS: Man, woman robbed and shot in Plaza-Midwood
Their neighbor, John Cameron, said he got the news by text.
"It was pretty disturbing," said Cameron.
Cameron said family members rushed to the hospital to check on the couple. He described the Parkers as "very friendly, very nice people."
On Monday, Channel 9 obtained the police report confirming that the shooting was random. Jamall Glenn, Ebonee Ward and Antonio Worthy have since been arrested.
After the shooting, the trio led officers on a chase that ended in a crash before their arrest.
On Thursday, Beatrice Urtecho was robbed at gunpoint in Plaza Midwood. It happened around 11:45 a.m. when she was walking to her girlfriend's apartment.
"That just makes me so sad, because it's like, why are people going around doing this? What do you gain from that, maybe $40?" Urtecho said.
Urtecho said that's how much money was in her purse when she was robbed.
"I felt a gun to my head and he told me to give him all my stuff," she said. "I thought I was going to die."
Urtecho said she wants to see more security cameras and police presence in the area. After hearing what happened to the Parkers, she's grateful she has the chance to tell others to be vigilant.
"I'm safe, and I'm here to talk to you and warn people, hey, just be more careful," she said.
Bruce Parker's mother said the family has strong faith and is hopeful the couple will continue to improve. Relatives have flown in from out of state to be by their side.
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