Man killed after friend opens fire inside ambulance, police say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed when someone opened fire inside an ambulance early Wednesday morning.

The shooting happened just before 4 a.m. on Woodlawn Road near Nations Crossing and Interstate 77.

Officers were called to the Days Inn in the area after the motel security guard called to report a disturbance involving several people.

When police got there, a man told an officer he was having trouble breathing so MEDIC was called.

While that man was in the ambulance being treated, he asked for his friend to come into the ambulance with him.

MEDIC protocol does not allow other people inside ambulances. Officers said crews told the suspect he could not come inside and he left, but later came back and shot the patient several times, killing him.

Police identified the victim as 34-year-old Jeremy Whitted.

In the conversation between the MEDIC crew and emergency dispatchers, the crew reported shots had been fired inside the ambulance.

“10-33, 10-33,” MEDIC said.

“What’s the location?” dispatch responded.

“10-33 shots fired inside an ambulance," MEDIC said.

In the dispatch call, you can hear crews saying MEDIC was on scene with a patient for “difficulty breathing” when shots were fired.

While on scene, Channel 9 crews could see nearly two dozen CMPD patrol cars lining the street and a large crime scene surrounding a MEDIC ambulance in the middle of the road.

Authorities said the MEDIC crew involved and all police officers were OK.

“We’re very glad to report that both of the crew members that were on scene this morning are safe,” Mecklenburg EMS Deputy Director Jonathan Studnek said. “They’re back at MEDIC headquarters being taken care of by our folks.”

“It’s very heartbreaking man, it really is,” Ghassan Yagan said. “We’re supposed to come together, especially with corona disease that’s going on. We’re already dealing with a lot.”

No officers had to fire their weapons during the incident. The officers and the paramedics were both offered counseling due to the nature of the investigation.

Police identified 32-year-old Prentice Bess as the suspect and said he was taken into custody immediately. He has been charged with murder.

No other information has been released.

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

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