A 4-year-old boy, Caleb Flax, was shot and killed while sleeping in his Charlotte, North Carolina home on September 20. Four teenagers have been charged in connection with the incident, which involved seven armed suspects firing a total of 84 shots into Flax's home and three other properties, according to court documents. Flax was pronounced dead at a local hospital four hours after the shooting. Kaley Collins, an adult, was critically injured during the incident.
Police reported that the shooters were traveling in two stolen vehicles, a Mercedes and an Infiniti, when they entered Flax's neighborhood. Investigators made their first arrest the day after the shooting, linking the abandoned Mercedes to 16-year-old Ar’montae Johnson, who admitted to driving the car to an Airbnb party the night before the shooting. Johnson stated that several individuals wanted to retaliate by shooting at windows.
Police found a handgun magazine inside the abandoned vehicle, which was located near Flax's home. Another suspect, 17-year-old Antonio Ladson, was arrested after a search warrant revealed a Glock 27 with ammunition matching that found at the shooting scene. Jaylen Barber, 16, and Johnson indicated that Ian Garland, 17, was the driver of the stolen Mercedes, leading to Garland's arrest on September 30.
The four teens face charges including shooting into an occupied dwelling, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit a felony. An adult, Terrance Jackson, 22, was also charged as an accessory after the fact for allegedly assisting Johnson in reprogramming a key for the Infiniti before selling it for $1,200. The Infiniti was later found in Orangeburg, South Carolina, approximately 140 miles from the shooting site.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella D. Patterson stated that the arrests are part of a commitment to bring all responsible parties to justice. Flax's family described him as a vibrant child, and a vigil was held in his memory attended by hundreds. A fundraiser has been established to support Flax's mother, who is coping with the loss of her only child.