CHARLOTTE — A chef said he narrowly escaped gunfire in uptown Charlotte after a woman opened fire in the middle of the street Thursday night.
Two people were shot and taken to Atrium CMC, police said.
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The shooting happened at about 6 p.m. at North Tryon Street and Montford Point Street near the Skyhouse apartments.
Shell casings littered the road as officers investigated about four cars that appeared to be connected with the shooting. More than 35 evidence markers were placed on the road.
The chef who volunteers with Block Love CLT said his group was about to deliver meals to those in need in the area when the gunfire erupted.
He said the woman walking down the street and carrying a long weapon opened fire.
“At which point, she raises the gun,” said the chef who did not want his face shown on TV. “I duck down in my passenger seat. A group of shots rings out. I hear glass breaking immediately, which is my car being shot.”
A barrage of rounds struck the chef’s car several times on the driver’s side.
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“There’s a pause,” he said. “Another volley of shots, at which point I hear my rear windshield being shot.”
The chef said a bystander then tackled the shooter.
“People start screaming once they see gun,” the chef said. “He grabs her to try and wrestle the gun away from her to try to wrestle her around.”
The bystander was shot, the chef said.
“I was thinking the man who tackled her was probably in very bad shape, and I felt terrible for him,” he said.
The chef, who was not injured, said that person likely saved his life.
CMPD said the two shooting victims’ injuries were not life-threatening.
Deborah Phillips, executive director of Block Love CLT, was about to hand out the meals the chef donated.
Bullets started flying, which forced her to take cover.
Despite the violent scene, Phillips and the chef said they’re committed to the community service that started in Charlotte in 2020.
“As long as there’s a need, we’ll be back out here,” Phillips said. “We’re just gonna have to be more vigilant for our volunteers. For our safety.”
On Friday, CMPD said the shooting started with an argument between two groups. Officers found a vehicle involved in the shooting and noted the passenger, identified as Kalik Foster, had been shot in the leg. The driver, identified as Malcolm Townsend, had outstanding warrants and was allegedly in possession of crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Townsend and Foster were both arrested on felony charges.
No further information has been released.
Return to this story for updates.
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