Current status: Four teenage suspects have been charged as adults with murder-related offenses in connection with the September 20 shooting that killed Caleb Flax and seriously injured another person. An adult, Terrance Jackson Jr., has been charged as an accessory after the fact.

The shooting

Court documents cited by Charlotte media say two stolen vehicles arrived on Grassy Patch Lane shortly before 3 a.m. with their headlights off. Police said seven teenage shooters allegedly exited the vehicles and fired at least 84 rounds in under a minute into four occupied residences and parked vehicles.

Caleb was struck while inside a home and later died at Levine Children’s Hospital. Another adult victim suffered serious injuries.

The accused juveniles

Local reporting identifies Ian Garland, Ar’Montae Johnson, Antonio Ladson Jr., and Jaylen Smith-Barber as the four juveniles charged in connection with the shooting. Because they are minors, the legal pathway—juvenile jurisdiction, transfer, indictment, and any adult prosecution—will be a major part of this case.

The accessory allegation

Prosecutors allege Terrance Jackson Jr. helped dispose of one of the stolen getaway vehicles after the shooting. Reporting based on an arrest affidavit says he allegedly assisted with reprogramming a key and arranging the vehicle’s sale in South Carolina.

Evidence to watch

• Surveillance footage and traffic-camera evidence.
• Firearm and ballistic comparisons.
• Phone-location and device evidence.
• Statements attributed to juvenile suspects.
• Evidence connecting each defendant individually to the shooting rather than to the vehicles or group generally.
• Any alleged retaliatory motive.

October 2 police briefing: retaliation theory

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said the September 20 shooting appears to have been retaliation for gunfire the previous day that targeted the home of one of the teenage suspects, although police said the earlier shooters struck the wrong house. Investigators say seven armed suspects fired at least 84 rounds into four occupied homes and three parked vehicles. Four teenagers have been charged as adults with murder-related offenses, and 22-year-old Terrance Jackson Jr. is charged as an accessory after the fact. The investigation remains active.

WBTV: October 2 police briefing

Sources

• WBTV — October 1, 2026
• WCCB Charlotte — October 1, 2026

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Juvenile charging and transfer rules can significantly affect what information is public.