Charlotte Crime Spree Kills Three Including Suspect, SBI Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting

A deadly crime spree unfolded in Charlotte on October 23, 2025, starting with a shooting near Hoskins Road that left Justin Westbrook Carlton dead and another victim critically injured, both innocent bystanders. The suspect, 28-year-old Joseph Andrade, shot Carlton and stole his vehicle before crashing it and stealing another car. He then forced entry into a home, kidnapped a victim, and fled in the stolen vehicle, leading to a police pursuit during which Andrade fired at officers. Officers returned fire, fatally wounding Andrade, while the kidnapped victim and officers were unharmed. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the officer-involved shooting probe, while the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues the homicide investigation and urges the public to provide tips. Multiple CMPD vehicles were struck during the incident, and four officers were evaluated at the hospital as a precaution.