Gastonia, N.C. - April 14, 2023: Gastonia Police Department officers have arrested and charged 21-year-old Leon Williams of Gastonia and 19-year-old Edwin Leonardo Carrera-Cantarero of Gastonia for the April 12 shooting into an occupied home on S. South Street, and then fleeing from police. There were no injuries reported as a result of the shooting
On April 12 just after 10: 00 p.m., GPD officers responded to a home in the 800 block of S. South Street for the report of shots fired into a home. Responding officers determined that at least one projectile entered a home that was occupied by a mother and her children. No one inside the home was struck by the gunfire.
The investigation determined that a Dodge Charger and a Nissan Sentra were parked on S. South Street and approximately eight individuals, some of whom were wearing ski masks, exited the cars and walked down S. South Street. Gunshots were heard soon after and both vehicles fled the area.
Responding officers located the Dodge Charger traveling on S. Marietta Street at E. Eighth Avenue. Officers attempted to stop the car but the driver failed to stop for officers and fled at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Charger lost control of the car and wrecked on Belmar Drive near Fuller Drive.
After the Charger wrecked, officers observed two suspects flee on foot from the car. Additional suspects, later determined to be juveniles, remained in the car. One of the suspects who fled, now identified as Williams, was quickly located and arrested by officers. There were no injuries reported after the Charger wrecked.
The second suspect who fled from the Charger, now identified as Carrera-Cantareo, was located and arrested. A loaded handgun that was reported stolen out of Charlotte was located inside the Dodge Charger.
The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents after the Department of Juvenile Services was contacted.
Additional officers located the Nissan Sentra occupied by three subjects on Garland Avenue. A handgun and two ski masks were found inside the Sentra. The investigation into the involvement of these subjects is ongoing.
Williams was charged with shooting into occupied property, felony flee to elude, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, resisting arrest, and multiple traffic-related offenses. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Carrera-Cantareo was charged with shooting into an occupied property, possession of a stolen firearm, and resisting arrest. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
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Edwin Leonardo Carrera-Cantarero
Leon Williams
