Shots fired at community health fair in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gunshots rang out near a back-to-school community health fair in Charlotte Saturday afternoon.

WCNC Charlotte received messages from citizens that said the shots were heard toward the end of the event held at the C.W. Williams Community Health Center along Wilkinson Boulevard. Medic confirmed it did not respond to the scene, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said nobody was hurt. However, CMPD did not share details with WCNC Charlotte about any arrests made after the fact or what may have led up to the shooting. The department directed WCNC Charlotte to check its crime mapping tool to retrieve the incident report number and to send that information to its police records division to get details, or visit the Law Enforcement Center during regular business hours to pick up the report.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, who represents Mecklenburg County in Congress, shared a statement late Saturday evening in response to the incident:

I’m grateful that no one was injured at C.W. Williams’ Back to School Community Health Fair after the reported shooting and I want to thank the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their quick response to the incident. For 11 years, C.W. Williams Community Health Center has hosted this incredible event, providing healthcare and school supplies to our families and children ahead of the new school year. They have been a longtime pillar in Charlotte, especially for our underserved communities, and I want to thank them for hosting today’s event and for all the work they do.

WCNC Charlotte has asked the center for more information about what happened. As of publication, a response has not been provided.

A WCNC Charlotte photojournalist was at the event earlier in the day as part of newsgathering for back-to-school event coverage in the Charlotte area, but had left before the shooting.

The health fair was promoted as a way for neighbors to connect with vendors and volunteers in the community ahead of the school year.