Police: 1 teen dead, 1 arrested following homicide in Druid Hills

CHARLOTTE — A teenage girl is dead after a shooting in the Druid Hills neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Police were called to a home in the 2600 block of Olando Street near North Graham Street around 1:30 p.m. for reports of an assault.

On arrival, police said they found a 14-year-old girl shot inside the home.

Officers and MEDIC attempted to render aid, but Vanessa Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.

“She just wanted to be happy,” said the teen’s aunt, Xiomara Garcia.

Vanessa was six years old when she moved to Charlotte from Honduras.

Family members said she was happy but very shy. She moved in with her boyfriend two months ago.

Junio Alexis Ramos Estrada, 18, was identified as a suspect in the case, police said.

Her aunt objected to the 14-year-old girl living with an 18-year-old boyfriend.

“She was so young to live with her boyfriend,” her aunt said.

Xiomara Garcia said her niece refused to listen despite red flags.

The two argued and a few weeks ago, Estrada broke her niece’s phone, her aunt said.

Xiomara Garcia said her niece wouldn’t talk much about the problems in their home.

“She was trying to protect him,” the aunt said.

Xiomara Garcia got a phone call Saturday from the boyfriend and went to the scene.

She found her niece dead from a gunshot wound.

Xiomara Garcia didn’t believe Estrada’s story that he accidently discharged the gun while cleaning it.

He was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, statutory rape of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 by a defendant who is more than four but less than six years older than the victim and possession of a stolen firearm.

“For Junior to say the truth,” Xiomara Garcia said. “We know more. We want justice.”

Police said the investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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