13-year-old boy shot in leg during apparent northwest Charlotte drive-by

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 13-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after he was shot Thursday morning in his bedroom inside his northwest Charlotte home.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called around 2:30 a.m. to the house on Mistral Way, near Rozzelles Ferry Road.

>> We first updated WSOCTV news app users with a notification just after 4:30 a.m. Thursday about the apparent drive-by shooting. Download the WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and get updates on breaking news as they come in.

Detectives said someone outside the house fired multiple shots, striking a 13-year-old who was inside. The boy was shot in the leg and was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to survive.

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Three other people, including the teen's 8-year-old sister, were in the home at the time, but police said they were not hurt.

Investigators told Channel 9 it appeared the home was specifically targeted in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting but have not released a motive.

The boy's mother, who is worried about her family's safety, spoke with reporter Mark Barber and said the impact of the bullet was so strong that it broke her son's leg. She said he is an eighth-grader who plays football and loves life.

“My son was in his bed, and he was asleep also," she said. "When he heard the first shot, he jumped up and he tried to run and I think that’s why he got it because he was running. All of them were going towards his bedroom and my car.”

She said she does not believe her son, who attends Whitewater Middle School and already taking classes for college preparedness, was targeted.

“No, he’s 13, he’s an athlete. He doesn’t even really hang with people," she said. "He’s not really social like that. He plays football, he goes to school, he doesn’t come outside and play with people, he’s not a social media person, he plays his game. He has an older brother, I can’t speak if that could be the issue or not.”

Yellow evidence markers scattered all over the street gave worried neighbors an indication of how many shots were fired.

“I heard at least seven or eight,” the boy's mother said.

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The teen's uncle, Roy Smith, also spoke with Channel 9 and said Thursday's shooting is the third time in four years the house has been targeted.

"Ah man, it's just -- I don't understand," Smith said. "It was a close call, and it wasn't the first time. It's not a second time, but a third time this has happened."

CMPD said the last time the house was targeted was in January.

As police continue to investigate Thursday's shooting, the family said they hope the 13-year-old will be able to heal.

“How can he get over something like this?" asked Smith. "For the rest of his life, it’s going to be in his head.”

The family told Channel 9 they will be moving out. The mother said she has already started looking at other homes where her children could be safer.

No arrests have been made.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

Cox Media Group