Police say at least 84 rounds ripped through Charlotte homes as a sleeping 4-year-old was killed, and five suspects are now in custody.
Story Snapshot
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced five arrests tied to the Sept. 20 shooting that killed 4-year-old Caleb Flax.
- Four teens face murder and related charges; a 22-year-old is charged as an accessory after the fact.
- Detectives say at least 84 shots hit four occupied homes on Grassy Patch Lane.
- Arrests happened over several days across multiple cities; the investigation is still active.
Police Announce Five Arrests Linked to Deadly Drive-By
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said five people were arrested after a drive-by shooting killed 4-year-old Caleb Flax on September 20. Officers said the attack happened on the 900 block of Grassy Patch Lane while Caleb slept in his home. Four teenagers are charged with murder and related counts. A 22-year-old is charged as an accessory after the fact. Police said the case is ongoing and more arrests could follow as detectives gather evidence.
Police updates named the teens as Ar’montae Johnson, 16; Antonio Ladson, 17; Jaylen Barber, 16; and Ian Garland, 17. Officers also named Terrance Jackson, 22, as charged with accessory after the fact. Reports describe charges that include murder, attempted murder, and shooting into occupied dwellings. Officials stressed the case involves coordinated actions tied to the same event. Court documents and full affidavits were not released in the public summaries cited here.
Scene Details and Scale of the Attack
Police said at least 84 rounds were fired in under a minute, striking four occupied homes and hitting cars on the street. The gunfire killed Caleb inside his bedroom and injured an adult. Investigators explained the volume of shots points to multiple shooters and vehicles. Detectives also said the attack appeared linked to a wider dispute, described as possible retaliation, while noting that evidence collection and interviews continue as they build the full timeline.
Officers outlined a chain of arrests across the region as teams tracked suspects and vehicles. Police said they arrested Johnson in Stanley on September 23. They arrested Ladson in Dallas on September 25. They arrested Barber in Monroe on September 29. They arrested Jackson in Charlotte on September 29. They arrested Garland on September 30. The staggered arrests reflect ongoing tips, surveillance, and interagency work during the past two weeks.
Charges, Next Steps, and Public Concerns
Police and local reports list charges that include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and shooting into occupied dwellings. Those counts suggest a coordinated attack rather than a single shooter acting alone. Prosecutors will now decide on indictments and possible adult charges for the teens under North Carolina law. Because several defendants are minors, some records and hearings may be limited or sealed during early proceedings.
CMPD latest Updates on the Investigation into the Homicide of 4-year-old, Caleb Flax, who was fatally shot during a Drive by shooting that sent bullets flying inside his home on last Sunday Sept 20th, in the early morning hours, while laying next to his mom in bed at their home… pic.twitter.com/h5ZDHospJs
— Tina Quizon (@TinaQuizon) October 2, 2026
Community members are grieving and asking how a child could die in bed from a storm of bullets. People across the political spectrum see a basic failure: families do not feel safe in their own homes. Police say more suspects could be named as evidence develops. Residents want swift justice and lasting safety. That means reliable policing, fair courts, and steady community support so neighbors are not stuck between gangs, guns, and fear on their own streets.
Sources:
wbtv.com, charlottenc.gov, wsoctv.com
