West Meck student holds fellow student at gunpoint, CMPD says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 15-year-old West Mecklenburg High School student robbed a fellow student at gunpoint Tuesday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

The robbery happened around 12:20 p.m. in the wooded area near West Mecklenburg High School.

Police said the 15-year-old victim tried to take the gun from the teen, who hit the victim with the gun. Both students were skipping school, according to police. Police said they don’t know if the teenage robbery suspect had a gun on the school campus.

The suspect is hospitalized with minor injuries and will be charged with armed robbery, police said.

In a news conference Tuesday, police reminded parents to talk to their children about staying in school.

"When kids are not in school, they're either committing crimes themselves or becoming victims of crime," CMPD Lt. Julie Berry said.

Channel 9 has reported about the increase in young teens involved in violent crimes in Charlotte. Last week, police said a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old fired shots at CMPD officers in east Charlotte.

Earlier in the month, police arrested several teens for robbing a southeast Charlotte convenience store at gunpoint. One of those suspects was 13-years-old.

Police said in the robbery at West Meck they don't believe the suspect and victim knew each other.

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