Police have announced five arrests as investigators continue tracing the people and vehicles tied to the Sept. 20 shooting.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Four teenagers have been charged with murder in the shooting death of 4-year-old Caleb Flax, part of five arrests announced as Charlotte-Mecklenburg police continue investigating a barrage of gunfire directed at homes in northwest Charlotte.
The arrests mark a major development in the investigation of the Sept. 20 shooting on Grassy Patch Lane. Police say seven armed people arrived in two stolen vehicles shortly before 3 a.m. and fired more than 80 rounds into four occupied houses and three vehicles. Caleb was struck inside a home and later died at a hospital. An adult woman in a neighboring home was also wounded.
Police identified the teenagers charged with murder as Ar’montae Johnson, 16; Antonio Kahron Ladson, 17; Jaylen Vontae Barber, 16; and Ian Garland, 17. Each also faces additional charges connected to the shooting, according to police. The charges are allegations, and the cases have not been resolved in court.
Johnson was arrested Sept. 23 in Stanley with help from Gaston County police. Authorities said he was charged with murder, attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, conspiracy to commit a felony, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle.
Ladson was arrested Sept. 25 in Dallas, North Carolina. Police said his charges include murder, attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling, conspiracy to commit a felony and accessory after the fact. Barber was arrested Sept. 29 in Monroe and charged with murder, attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Garland was arrested Sept. 30 in Charlotte. Police said he faces murder, attempted murder, four counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling and conspiracy to commit a felony. Earlier reporting based on arrest warrants showed the number of teenagers facing murder charges growing as investigators made additional arrests during the final week of September.
A fifth person, 22-year-old Terrance Jackson, was arrested Sept. 29 and charged with accessory after the fact. Court records cited by local news organizations allege Jackson became involved after the shooting by helping dispose of a stolen Infiniti investigators believe was used in connection with the attack. He has not been accused of firing the shots that killed Caleb.
The shooting happened in the 900 block of Grassy Patch Lane. Police said nine adults and five juveniles were inside the four houses hit by gunfire but were not physically injured. Caleb and the adult woman were the two people struck. Earlier police reports said several vehicles were also damaged.
Investigators have described an extensive effort to identify suspects and trace the vehicles connected to the shooting. Police said one vehicle of interest was found Sept. 21 and determined to have been stolen. A second stolen vehicle tied to the investigation was recovered Sept. 30 in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Police Chief Estella Patterson said detectives have been following evidence, conducting interviews and working with other agencies to identify everyone believed to have been involved. The department said the investigation remains active and indicated that the five arrests announced so far may not represent the end of the case.
Author note: Last updated October 1, 2026.