CHARLOTTE — A Harding University High School student and a 15-year-old have been charged with the murder of a teenager in west Charlotte over the weekend, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirmed.
CMPD said officers were called to West Boulevard and Leake Street at around noon on Saturday. They found Andy Hernandez, 17, who had been shot. Detectives said that he was in a car that had crashed into a tree, and he died at the scene.
On Wednesday morning, police said Brenice Gibson, 18, was arrested on the high school’s campus. The day before, a 15-year-old suspect was arrested, authorities said. Both teens have been charged with murder, attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
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According to arrest warrants, Gibson and the 15-year-old tried to rob Hernandez over a small amount of marijuana, leading to the shooting.
Mothers of Murdered Offspring held a vigil Wednesday night for Hernandez’s loved ones.
Channel 9′s DaShawn Brown was there, and said teachers described the 17-year-old as someone who loved the arts. They said he was both compassionate and kind.
“This is a hard time for our community. It really is,” said teacher Jeff Begeal. “I didn’t expect it, obviously. It was just like a gut punch.”
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Hernandez’s cousin, Keylin Lopez, also shared how much he loved his family and how he lost how own father to gun violence.
“Our family never got over his loss. They had to grow up without a father, and he was so young. He was 4 or 5 years old when he lost him,” Lopez said. “And it’s heartbreaking that he went the same way.”
Lopez specifically asked the community to pray for their family. She said they need it right now.
“Now these two kids are going to prison and that’s awful, their lives are over. They don’t get a chance either,” Lopez said.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
(WATCH BELOW: Police: 18-year-old dies after 3 shot in Hickory; upgraded to murder investigation)
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