Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into a shooting which left one person dead. The incident took place as the victim ran past Custer Street on Catherine Simmons Avenue towards Augusta Street in the Metro Division. The call for service came in at 2:46 p.m., on Friday, April 9, 2010. The victim has been identified as Reginald Lamont Laverette, DOB: 01/01/1993.
Metro Division officers responded to a call for service regarding several subjects fighting in a parking lot at the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and Catherine Simmons Avenue. At least one of those individuals was armed with a handgun. Initial witness statements indicate that multiple suspects got into a dark green Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Marquis with dark tinted windows in the rear and followed the victim as he ran east on Catherine Simmons Avenue away from Beatties Ford Road.
As the victim passed Custer Street, at least one suspect inside the vehicle fired multiple shots at the victim from the car. The victim was struck at least once by gunfire and fell to the ground. The suspect vehicle made a right turn onto Augusta Street and fled the area. Medic arrived on scene and transported the victim to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 3:30 p.m.
At this point in the investigation, the victim and the suspects are believed to have had some type of prior relationship. Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to photograph it and collect physical evidence. The Helicopter Unit responded to search for the suspect vehicle but was unsuccessful in locating it. Detectives with the Gang Unit, Firearms Enforcement Unit and Vice and Narcotics Unit assisted in the investigation as well.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective K. Brewington is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
