Police seeking gang murder suspects in Charlotte,NC
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· WCNC: Police arrest one, name 3 others in North Tryon shooting
Police seeking murder suspects
3 wanted for shootout on North Tryon Street that left 1 man dead
MELISSA MANWARE
Police seeking murder suspects 3 wanted for shootout on North Tryon
Street that left 1 man dead Melissa Manware
Police said three men charged with murder in a deadly shootout were on
the lam late Friday, as detectives continued to piece together what led
to the rolling gunfight and investigate whether it was related to a
shooting in Eastland Mall that day.
The men should be considered "armed and extremely dangerous," police
said in a news release asking for help locating them. Anyone with
information should call 911.
One of the men wanted in Monday's shootout is on probation for a felony
drug conviction. Another has a pending felony drug charge. And the
third has been convicted of a misdemeanor gun charge.
Two others -- one of whom police have previously identified as a member
of the Kings gang -- have been arrested in the shootout, which left
22-year-old Juan Lawrence of Charlotte dead. Records show Lawrence also
was on probation for a felony drug conviction.
About 8 p.m. Monday, motorists began calling 911 about occupants of two
cars shooting at each other as they drove south on North Tryon Street,
near Sugar Creek Road.
One of the cars hit a northbound vehicle head-on, then its occupants
jumped out and ran away.
The other car carrying shooters careened off North Tryon, ran across
grass and cut between two buildings. It stopped behind a restaurant and
witnesses saw several people running away.
A short time later, police found Lawrence on the front lawn of a home
on nearby Ritch Avenue. He died during surgery at Carolinas Medical
Center.
Several businesses were damaged in the gunfire, but no injuries were
reported. The driver of the vehicle hit head-on was hospitalized.
Sgt. Lee Ann Oehler declined to talk about a possible motive or say why
detectives believe it may be linked to the Eastland shooting, which
happened six hours earlier.
In that case, police and witnesses said five to 12 men were fighting
when one of them pulled out a gun and began shooting. A bullet hit a
man involved in the fight. Police charged two men in the mall on
charges not related to the fight. They have not charged anyone in the
shooting.
Oehler declined to say whether police have identified the shooter from
the mall or whether he may have been involved in the North Tryon
incident.
Detectives say the men wanted in the shootout know police are looking
for them. Oehler said detectives looked for them at their homes
Thursday and members of a fugitive task force searched for them Friday
night.
They are all from Mecklenburg County, and police have no reason to
believe they have left the area.
Oehler said detectives do not yet know whether the shootout or the mall
incident were gang-related. She also said she did not know whether any
of those charged is a gang member.
But a copy of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg gang database obtained by the
Observer two years ago identifies Antonio Deron Pruitt, arrested on a
murder charge in the shootout, as a member of the Kings.
In recent years, police have identified the Kings as Charlotte's
largest gang and said it may have as many as 500 members. Police said
all three men frequent the Hidden Valley neighborhood in northeast
Charlotte. Anyone who sees them is asked to call 911.
Wanted
Toney Riychaad Robinson, 24On probation. Previously convicted of
possession of cocaine, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, assault on a
female.
Justin Lang Joy, 18
Has pending charges of assault on a female, assault by pointing a gun
and felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Lamarcus Deondrey Seabrooks, 19
Convicted of possession of a handgun by a minor, resisting arrest, and
assaulting a government official.
Police said all three men frequent the Hidden Valley neighborhood in
northeast Charlotte. Anyone who sees them is asked to call 911.
In Jail
Antonio Deron Pruitt, 19
On probation for felony auto theft. Convicted of carrying a concealed
weapon. Identified as a member of the Kings gang in a 2003 copy of
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police gang database.
Exzaviar Emon Hoey, 20
Pending charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.