Self-Defense Strategy Leads to Dismissal for Man Who Shot School Bus in North Carolina

In 2024, gunfire rang out in a Charlotte neighborhood as projectiles struck a passing school bus. Multiple children were injured, and police arrested two individuals. Two years later, the man accused of carrying out the shooting beat state charges, having successfully argued self-defense. If you face charges after a shooting, speak with a North Carolina criminal defense attorney to determine whether a similar strategy may be successful.

“The Other Guys Shot First”

The criminal defense attorney representing the defendant noted that when this shootout broke out, those attacking his client fired first. The defendant was in his vehicle when another group pulled up and started firing in his direction. Next, the defendant opened fire with his own weapon, which meets the definition of self-defense in North Carolina.

Initially, local authorities accused the defendant of using a stolen rifle to defend drug territory. What made this situation even worse was the fact that the defendant fired this rifle into a school bus when defending himself. Two students were injured by shattering glass in the process.

Defendant Still Faces Federal Gun Charges

With all that said, the defendant will not walk free after his state charges were dismissed by the court. This is because he still faces federal gun charges for possessing a firearm as a felon (a stolen rifle at that). Although the self-defense strategy was a success, he will still likely face many years behind bars due to these federal gun charges.

Nevertheless, the underlying lesson is notable: Even if you are a “criminal” with a stolen weapon and ties to local gangs, you still have the right to defend yourself with lethal force.

What if You Accidentally Injure a Bystander While Defending Yourself in North Carolina?

You could still face criminal charges for injuring bystanders, even if you were legally allowed to use your firearm in self-defense. This could potentially lead to charges like assault with a deadly weapon. However, prosecutors may need to establish that you discharged your firearm in a highly negligent manner in order to convict you of these charges.

If you were relatively responsible when discharging your firearm at the attacker without causing unnecessary danger to other people, it may be difficult for prosecutors to convict you. For example, you might have fired straight at the attacker, and one of your bullets might have passed through their car and struck a passerby’s arm. As long as you were not firing wildly and indiscriminately, you should not face excessive penalties for trying to defend yourself and accidentally striking bystanders.

Can a North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Help Me?

A North Carolina criminal defense attorney may be able to help if you face charges after a shooting. As recent cases show, you may be fully justified in discharging your weapon in self-defense, even if the shooting itself becomes highly controversial and publicized. Learn more about your next steps by contacting The Pritchard Firm at 828-518-6007.

Sources: 

wcnc.com/article/news/local/charges-dropped-in-a-charlotte-school-bus-shooting/275-ce0e7cfe-c12a-42d2-b14c-b3a5073092da

wcnc.com/article/news/crime/information-released-school-bus-hit-gunfire-east-charlotte/275-4b7283ea-9720-49dc-ad7e-36c54ac60973