Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and ADW Unit are conducting an officer involved shooting investigation at 2317 Crestview Drive in the Metro Division. The call for service was initiated at 11:24 p.m., on Monday, July 2, 2012. The deceased has been identified as Michael Deangelo Laney. The listed address is Mr. Laney’s home address.
While on patrol, Metro Division officers spotted a black male subject driving a red scooter travelling on Beatties Ford Road. Officers attempted to stop the scooter because it matched the description of a vehicle which was used to flee the scene of an armed robbery in which the victim was shot. That robbery was committed at 505 Beatties Ford Road on June 25, 2012.
On Monday, July 2nd, Detectives with the Robbery Unit saw a red scooter in the Beatties Ford Road area and lost sight of it. Detectives remained in the area and also briefed Metro Division third shift patrol officers to Be On the Look Out for a red scooter being driven by a black male. Metro Division third shift begins at 10:15 p.m. Little more than an hour later, officers located a red scooter as it drove along Beatties Ford Road and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on it.
The suspect failed to stop for the officers until he jumped off the scooter and ran towards his house. As the officers caught up to him in the front yard, a struggle ensued. As they attempted to take him into custody, he reached for a handgun and Officer Anthony Holzhauer fired his service pistol striking Mr. Laney. Officer Ryan Shields was the second officer on the scene. Mr. Laney was pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun which was in the possession of Mr. Laney was recovered at the scene.
Detectives with the Homicide Unit are currently canvassing the neighborhood to determine if there are any witnesses to this incident. Officers with the Robbery Unit, Gang Unit, Aviation Unit and SWAT responded to the scene to aid in the investigation. A representative of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene as well.
Officer Anthony Holzhauer has been a member of the CMPD since January 25, 2010. He is currently assigned to the Metro Division as a Patrol Officer. Officer Ryan Shields has been a member of the CMPD since January 12, 2009. He is currently assigned to the Metro Division as a Patrol Officer. Detectives with the Homicide Unit are conducting the shooting investigation while Detectives with the Internal Affairs Unit will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine whether or not CMPD policies and procedures were adhered to during the course of the incident. Per department protocol, Officer Holzhauer has been placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the shooting investigation.
Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Tisdale is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
