A back-to-school community gathering erupted into chaos Saturday afternoon when police say a North Carolina mother pulled out a firearm.
North Carolina mother fires weapon to stop fight
Authorities allege that she fired shots into the air in a desperate bid to break up a fight between her teenage son and another boy.
According to an affidavit cited by WBTV, Cherez Davis allegedly discharged two rounds at approximately 1:10 p.m. during the C.W. Williams Community Health Center’s celebration for the opening of its new medical facility.
Investigators believe the confrontation between the boys intensified when another adult stepped in, prompting Davis to allegedly whip out and fire her weapon.
Authorities said she quickly put the gun away afterward, but the scene was already spiraling.
The sound of gunfire sent the crowd of more than 100 people scattering in panic.
Some attendees bolted toward the busy roadway nearby, darting into the path of oncoming traffic.
North Carolina mother booked on weapons charges
According to the Charlotte Observer, confusion mounted further when several individuals mistook arriving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducting a raid.
Records from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office indicate Davis was taken into custody and booked on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and going armed to the terror of the public.
She has since been released after posting a $50,000 bond.
The C.W. Williams Community Health Center issued a statement in the aftermath, distancing the incident from the overall event.
“That one moment when a woman fired 3 shots in the air was an isolated incident that occurred toward the end of the event,” they wrote.
“We are saddened that our community, vendors and team members experienced this, but are so thankful that no one was harmed! C. W. Williams Community Health Center’s looks forward to your continued partnership and support.”
Leadership praised staff for remaining composed under dangerous circumstances.
“The CWWCHC Board and leadership are proud and appreciative of our team for their courage and focus in caring for everyone during this unnecessary act,” the statement read, according to WBTV.
“We sincerely thank you all! We also thank CMPD for their quick response and for arresting the perpetrator.”
New Jersey mom tries to help son flee the country
While Charlotte police were managing the fallout from the weekend gunfire, law enforcement in New Jersey announced progress in a separate high-profile case involving a mother’s illegal move to protect her son.
Authorities say a mother and son from Staten Island, New York, were arrested in Florida last month after allegedly trying to leave the United States in connection with the fatal June 29 crash on New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway.
According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, 42-year-old Vilma Vneshta and her 20-year-old son, Alvi Limani, were taken into custody on July 17 near Miami.
Prosecutors allege Limani was behind the wheel of a BMW X3, driving recklessly and racing another vehicle when the crash occurred.
Investigators say the collision involved two additional cars and ejected two passengers from Limani’s SUV.
One of them, 20-year-old Albion Hysenaj, died from his injuries. Another passenger, age 21, suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized.
Also riding in Limani’s vehicle was 19-year-old Emily Harrington, who authorities say was not thrown from the car.
Instead, she allegedly ran from the scene with Limani. Harrington was later charged with hindering, obstruction, and conspiracy to endanger another.
The second driver allegedly involved in the race, 23-year-old Jeter Ogando, was operating a BMW M5.
He was arrested and faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide, endangering another person, and assault by auto.
Prosecutors say that after the crash, Limani boarded a flight to Miami with his mother, allegedly planning to leave the country. Both were arrested before they could depart further.
Vneshta has been charged with hindering, while Limani’s charges are extensive.
They include aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, fleeing the scene of a fatal accident, causing death while driving with a suspended license, and two counts of endangering an injured victim.
He was also charged with tampering with public records, hindering, leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury, assault by auto, and causing serious injury while driving with a suspended license.
All four suspects linked to the crash — Limani, Vneshta, Harrington, and Ogando — are scheduled for court appearances on August 28.
