After the home was cleared, the helicopter pilot said he couldn’t show the front lawn of the home because the scene was too disturbing.
Several armoured vehicles were on nearby lawns and driveways of the older suburban neighbourhood of a tree-lined street with brick homes. A shattered window, blinds torn, was in a street and a entire doorway was leaning against of one of the vehicles.
Many roads in the area including Interstate 77 were closed so ambulances could get to hospitals more quickly. TV footage showed ambulances speeding to hospitals with several vehicles with sirens on both in front and behind them.
Kiashia Williams was driving home when she heard several shots separated by a few seconds.
“Ambulances, police and everything everywhere just started rushing down,” Ms Williams said as she waited in her car to be allowed to go home and check on her daughter, who broadcast what she saw on social media.
Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were placed on lockdown around afternoon dismissal, but that was lifted in the late afternoon, the district said.
Police urged people to stay away from the neighbourhood and asked residents to remain inside their homes.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
