CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police said Nasir Derrell, 20, who was driving a red Chevrolet Cruze, opened fire during a road rage incident in the middle of traffic Wednesday morning just outside uptown Charlotte.
Officers responded around 9:30 a.m. to the scene on outbound Independence Boulevard near Pecan Avenue. When they arrived, they spoke with the 41-year-old driver of a black Toyota, who said she had been shot at.
Police said the right rear tire of the Toyota was flattened by a round. No one was hurt.
“The Toyota veered over into the red Chevy Cruze’s lane,” CMPD Lt. Brad Koch said. “The gentleman did not take too kindly to that and fired a couple of rounds at the car, striking the right rear tire.”
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Officials said the road rage incident began when the victim merged into the Derrell’s lane. Moments later, the woman said the driver opened fire.
A witness was able to give police the tag number of the Chevy. Police also utilized traffic cameras to track Derrell down.
“Yeah, it certainly is scary,” Koch said. “I mean, drivers were just driving down the road on this beautiful morning and minding their own business, when someone, again, resorted to deadly force or attempted to use deadly force on a very minor misunderstanding.”
Derrell was charged with shooting into an occupied property and shooting in the city limits.
The victim, Linda Mendoza, said she is still emotional and confused about what happened.
She said she was driving with a friend, listening to Gospel music, and accidentally cut off Derrell and begged for his forgiveness.
"I said 'I'm sorry. You OK because I'm scared,'" Mendoza said.
She said she saw his face and still remembers it.
"Very young man, he's very angry," Mendoza said.
Mendoza said she pulled over on the side of the road and didn't realize her car had been hit. She said she was grateful for the bystanders who stopped to help her and called 911.
"And I touch my body, I'm OK, I'm OK. I'm very nervous. I don't know what happened," Mendoza said.
She said when police officers arrived, they had to bring a counselor to help Mendoza.
"He support me. He take my hand and tell me to breathe," Mendoza said.
She said she got through the moment with help, but she said she still struggles with what happened.
"I thank you God, I'm alive," Mendoza said.
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