Boy Killed in Bed After Gunmen Fire Shots into North Carolina Homes

A 4-year-old North Carolina boy was killed while sleeping beside his mother after police say a group of teenage gunmen unleashed at least 84 bullets into several occupied homes during an apparent retaliation attack.

Caleb Flax was struck in the head when gunfire ripped through his northwest Charlotte neighborhood shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say seven armed suspects arrived on Grassy Patch Lane in two stolen vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz and an Infiniti, with their headlights turned off.

The suspects allegedly got out of the vehicles and opened fire, sending at least 84 rounds into four occupied homes and three parked vehicles in less than a minute.

Caleb was sleeping inside one of those homes.

His mother, Bryanna Flax, said she was lying beside her son when the shooting began and desperately tried to shield him.

“He was laying beside me when it happened and I tried to cover his body, but I guess he had already got hit,” she told WCCB after the shooting.

Caleb was rushed to Levine Children’s Hospital but was pronounced dead several hours later.

Another adult victim was also struck by gunfire and seriously injured.

Police have now arrested four teenagers on murder charges and a 22-year-old man accused of helping dispose of one of the vehicles allegedly used in the attack.

Police Say Shooting Was Retaliation

Investigators now believe the extraordinary burst of gunfire was connected to another shooting that had taken place the previous day.

According to court records and statements made by prosecutors, several people gathered at an Airbnb party on the night of Sept. 19 allegedly discussed plans to “shoot at windows as retaliation for another shooting.”

Authorities say the apparent intended target was the home of one of the teenagers later charged in Caleb’s killing.

But prosecutors said gunfire connected to the earlier dispute had mistakenly struck a home two doors away from that teen’s residence.

Hours later, police allege, the group carried out the retaliatory attack on Grassy Patch Lane.

Investigators have not publicly disclosed all the circumstances surrounding the earlier shooting or identified everyone they believe participated in the Sept. 20 attack.

Police believe all seven suspected shooters were teenagers.

Phone Data Helps Police Track Stolen Mercedes

Investigators began piecing together the case using stolen vehicles, surveillance footage, cellphone information and interviews, according to court documents.

One major break reportedly came after police recovered the abandoned Mercedes-Benz.

Detectives determined an iPhone associated with 16-year-old Ar’montae Johnson had connected to the vehicle’s entertainment system on Sept. 15, several days before Caleb was killed.

According to court documents, Johnson told detectives he drove the Mercedes to an Airbnb gathering the night before the shooting.

He allegedly told investigators that several people at the party talked about retaliating for another shooting and that he gave the keys to associates while knowing members of the group were armed.

Surveillance footage also allegedly showed the Mercedes stopping at a gas station shortly after midnight before the shooting.

Just before 3 a.m., authorities say the Mercedes and Infiniti arrived on Grassy Patch Lane.

Traffic cameras reportedly captured the vehicles leaving the area minutes later.

Police say the suspects eventually abandoned the two stolen cars and returned to the gathering in another vehicle.

Four Teens Charged With Murder

Police have arrested four teenagers in connection with Caleb’s death:

Ar’montae Johnson, 16, was arrested Sept. 23.

Antonio Ladson, 17, was arrested Sept. 25.

Jaylen Barber, 16, was arrested Sept. 29.

Ian Garland, 17, was arrested Sept. 30.

All four have been charged as adults with murder, attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling and conspiracy to commit a felony. Some of the teenagers face additional charges connected to the stolen vehicles or the aftermath of the shooting.

During an Oct. 2 news conference, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson said the 84 rounds were fired in less than 60 seconds.

Four homes where families were sleeping were struck.

The four teenagers were denied bond during court proceedings, according to local reporting.

Fifth Man Accused of Helping Dispose of Car

Police also arrested 22-year-old Terrance Jackson Jr., who is not accused of being one of the gunmen.

Jackson has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

According to an arrest affidavit, Johnson contacted Jackson after the shooting for help dealing with the stolen Infiniti allegedly used during the attack.

Investigators allege Jackson helped arrange for a new key to be programmed for the vehicle and helped locate a buyer in South Carolina.

Police say the Infiniti was later driven to Bishopville, South Carolina, where it was sold for $1,200.

Jackson was given a $2 million secured bond, according to local reports.

Investigation Is Not Over

Despite the five arrests, police say the case remains far from finished.

Authorities believe additional people were involved and are continuing to identify and locate suspects.

Chief Patterson said the shooting affected far more than the homes hit by the bullets.

“We are here because of a tragedy that just didn’t pierce the walls of a home,” Patterson said during a news conference. “It pierced the heart of an entire community.”

Caleb’s grandfather, Brian Beatty, remembered the little boy for the happiness he brought to those around him.

“Caleb was a force and his smile could light up a room,” Beatty previously told WBTV. “If you ever encountered him, you would’ve loved him like I did.”

Family and neighbors have since gathered to remember Caleb, including at a balloon release in Charlotte.

A fundraiser was also created to help his mother as she deals with the loss of her only child.

For investigators, however, the case is still unfolding.

Police say they intend to pursue everyone they believe participated in the attack that sent 84 bullets through a residential neighborhood while families were asleep inside their homes.