'Somebody seen something': Man shot, killed near west Charlotte businesses

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are searching for the person behind a deadly shooting late Wednesday afternoon outside businesses in west Charlotte during rush hour.

The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. on West Boulevard at the intersection of Remount Road.

Chopper 9 flew over the scene where a shopping center parking lot was roped off with crime scene tape. Several evidence markers were on the asphalt.

Officers said they found Antonio Kirkpatrick with a gunshot wound outside the business complex. He died at the scene.

Neighbors said they heard at least five shots, one of which struck the victim in the head.

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The investigation attracted a large crowd, including Kirkpatrick's family. The victim's cousin, Miriam Hammond, spoke with Channel 9's veteran crime reporter Glenn Counts.

Hammond said she is beside herself with grief and anger -- she said her cousin had just turned 30 years old two weeks ago.

"My cousin is laying over there dead and it's my only cousin's son. It's the only son she have," Hammond said. "Somebody seen something. Somebody needs to start talking now."

Police have not said what led up to the shooting, but it's concerning for people who live nearby who say they have had enough.

"It's very scary for people who live here, for children who live around here," one resident said.

Kirkpatrick's death was Charlotte’s 68th homicide of 2019.

No further information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.