Eyewitness Recounts Terrifying Encounter With Armed Suspect During Charlotte Crime Spree
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte resident is sharing his terrifying firsthand account after coming face-to-face with the armed suspect at the center of Thursday’s deadly multi-scene crime spree that rocked northwest Charlotte.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police (CMPD), the suspect — identified as 28-year-old Joseph Andrade — shot two people on North Hoskins Road before allegedly kidnapping a woman, leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a deadly police shootout.
Ring Camera Captures Chaos on Quiet Street
Home security footage from a Ring doorbell camera shows the chaotic moments unfolding outside Jesse Ortiz’s home as gunfire erupted and cars crashed on his street.
“I hear gunshot — boom — two cars crashing like that,” Ortiz recalled.
Ortiz told WCNC Charlotte that he stepped outside to see what was happening, only to come face-to-face with Andrade, who was holding a gun.
“He’s standing right there with the gun, like he was inching at it. That’s what really freaked me out,” Ortiz said.
The footage shows vehicles colliding as neighbors rush for cover. Police later confirmed that Justin Carlton, one of the shooting victims, died after being caught in the crossfire. Another person was critically injured.
A Close Call at the Doorstep
Ortiz said the moment felt surreal — like something out of a movie.
“Because I make eye contact with him, then he slowly starts walking and starts jogging towards me,” Ortiz explained. “I close the door and go back inside. I had 911 dialed on my phone.”
His biggest fear, he said, was that the gunman would fire into his home.
“Just thank God I’m alive,” he said, reflecting on the ordeal.
Deadly Chase and Police Shootout
After the confrontation near Ortiz’s home, police said Andrade kidnapped a woman and forced her into her own vehicle, sparking a dangerous pursuit through Charlotte streets.
Officers tracked the vehicle to West Morehead Street and Freedom Drive, where the suspect reportedly opened fire at police. Officers returned fire, killing Andrade. The kidnapped woman escaped safely.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings later said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and that there was no prior connection between Andrade and his victims.
Community Still in Shock
Residents of the normally quiet northwest Charlotte neighborhood are struggling to come to terms with what happened. Many said they were stunned by the violence that erupted so close to home.
“It’s something you never expect to see in front of your house,” one neighbor told reporters. “I’ve lived here for years and nothing like this ever happened.”
CMPD confirmed that the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are both reviewing the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure.
Grieving Families, Thankful Neighbors
While one family mourns the loss of Justin Carlton, Ortiz and his neighbors say they are thankful to have survived the ordeal unscathed.
“It could’ve gone a lot differently,” Ortiz said. “I saw him with that gun, and I thought — this might be it.”
Police continue to investigate the series of events leading up to the deadly confrontation.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, follow SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
