Late on Halloween night, what began as a celebration turned into heartbreak for the North Charlotte community when 17-year-old Amari Cooper was fatally shot at a gathering along Old Plank Road. According to authorities, the incident erupted just after midnight when a fight broke out among partygoers and gunfire erupted, sending young people running in panic.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene at approximately 12:26 a.m., where Amari was found suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. She was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but despite medical efforts, she was later pronounced dead.
At this time, investigators with the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) have not publicly named any suspects, nor confirmed whether Amari was involved in the altercation that preceded the shooting. The case remains open as detectives continue to piece together witness accounts and physical evidence.
Amari, a student at West Charlotte High School, was remembered by classmates and teachers as a bright, friendly young person with so much potential. Her sudden passing has left the school community and her loved ones in deep mourning. Friends described her as someone who always showed kindness, carried a warm smile, and lifted others up around her.
Though the shooting took place during a Halloween gathering in the Old Plank Road area of northwest Charlotte, authorities emphasized there is no official link between this tragedy and a separate altercation earlier that day at West Charlotte High School involving a police officer and a student in the school’s bus parking lot.
In the wake of this loss, Amari’s friends and family are struggling to come to terms with the fact that a life filled with promise was cut short. The community has begun gathering for vigils, sharing memories, and offering support to one another as they search for answers and seek justice. The call has gone out to anyone with video, photos, or information about the incident to step forward and help investigators.
As the investigation continues, the pain endured by Amari’s loved ones is all-too real. A young life gone too soon, a community shaken, and the unanswered questions remain: What triggered the altercation? Who pulled the trigger? And how can young celebrations be made safer in a moment meant for fun? Even as authorities work, the memory of Amari’s smile and spirit is what lives on.
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