A beloved Charlotte back-to-school health fair was disrupted when a woman fired several rounds into the air following an altercation involving her son. Police arrested the suspect, and no injuries were reported.

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CHARLOTTE, NC (2-minute read) — The C.W. Williams Community Health Center’s annual Back-to-School Community Health Fair has been a cornerstone for local families for 11 years, providing essential school supplies, free health screenings, and immunizations to children before the new academic year. This year’s event saw over 1,000 families in attendance, enjoying not only the resources but also food, music, and a sense of community connection.

However, the positive atmosphere took a sudden turn when an altercation involving a teenage boy escalated. According to CEO Debra Weeks, the boy’s mother retrieved a firearm and fired several shots into the air, apparently as a warning. The sound of gunfire sent more than 200 attendees running for safety. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Police arrived within minutes, arresting the suspect. She now faces charges including going armed to the terror of the public, with her bond set at $50,000. Weeks expressed both disappointment and compassion, noting that while the woman cannot return to the center’s property due to safety concerns, she would still like to find ways to support the woman’s children.

Community Safety and Responsibility

Firearms are tools that carry serious legal and safety responsibilities. In public gatherings, the display or discharge of a firearm, especially in a crowded environment, creates immediate danger and panic, even if no one is physically harmed.

While the day’s ending was far from what organizers hoped for, Weeks reaffirmed the center’s dedication to the community, which it has served for nearly five generations. The focus remains on helping children prepare for school, while keeping everyone safe in the process.

Safety Tip: When carrying a firearm, always maintain control over your emotions. Escalating situations with gunfire can have severe legal consequences and put innocent people at risk.