Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department A/D/W Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into a shooting at 8830 East W T Harris Boulevard. The call for service came in at 5:14 p.m., on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The victim is a seven year-old girl who received a gunshot wound to the right leg.Hickory Grove Division officers received a call for service in reference to a shooting at the Starlight Roller Rink. When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Medic transported the victim to Carolinas Medical Center where she received treatment for a gunshot wound. She will be released tonight.
Based upon initial statements from witnesses, the victim was at the roller rink celebrating another child’s birthday, when the suspect, Todd O’Brien Houston entered the rink and had a confrontation with a male subject who was in the same group as the victim. The confrontation escalated into an exchange of blows and Mr. Houston pulled out a firearm and shot one time.
Mr. Houston then left the building. Mr. Houston and the male with whom he had the confrontation are known to each other. This incident was not a random act of violence. At this time, we do not believe that the young girl was the intended target. Witnesses on scene stated that they observed Mr. Houston point a gun at the male subject who was with the young girl.
Mr. Houston is in police custody at this time and will be charged with the following: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Assault by Pointing a Gun and Simple Assault.
Mr. Houston is in police custody at this time and will be charged with the following: Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Assault by Pointing a Gun and Simple Assault.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-336-3146 and speak directly to ADW Unit Detective J. King. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.