Two CMPD Officers Injured, Immigrant Arrested

Sunday Morning CMPD Officers and Detectives were investigating a hit-and-run in east Charlotte after two officers were injured while directing traffic.

Aaron Christian Sipf Photo Courtesy MCSO

Police have arrested Aaron Christian Sipf, DOB 12/21/1992

Around 5:23 a.m., officials say several officers were blocking East Independence Blvd near the Bojangles Coliseum due to a broken water pipe with their blue lights flashing.

Police were diverting traffic off East Independence Blvd when a 2015 Honda Civic struck the rear of a marked CMPD vehicle. One officer was inside the police SUV and one officer was standing next to that SUV when they were struck. The Honda became disabled from the crash. Two of its four occupants fled from the scene on foot. Officers located one of these subjects shortly afterwards and detained him.  

The second subject who ran from the scene is still outstanding.

Both officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The driver of the Honda, Aaron Christian Sipf, 32 DOB 12/21/1992, was arrested and transported into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. He is being charged with two counts of felony hit-and-run causing injury and one count of resisting an officer, according to the sheriff’s office.

Additionally Sipf was charged with felony failure to move over resulting in injury and Driving with a Revoked License

Sipf is an immigrant from Guatemala.

Sipf has a long history of criminal activity however since Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has removed prior arrests more than 2 years old it is hard to get a true picture of his criminal history. 

Aaron Christian Sipf Photo Courtesy MCSO

Court records show at least 15 cases in Mecklenburg, Union and Cabarrus County over the last ten years. 

These cases involve weapons, drugs and traffic violations include DWLR and countless failure to appear charges. 

Aaron Christian Sipf Photo Courtesy MCSO

Cedar's Take: Sipf has a long history of criminal activity. We have no reason to believe that this poster child for deportation is in the United States illegally but it wouldn't surprise anyone.

What he does have is a habit of not showing up for court. No bonding agency with a small amount of gray matter would sign off on his release even on the insanely low bail of $5,000.00.

5'5" and more than 200 pounds according to MCSO Sipf apparently didn't run very far and was quickly arrested. 

Sipf and the other 3 suspects emerging from the totalled Honda Civic had to be an interesting spectacle. 

Despite all the arrests and charges not one conviction. Who would have thought that in Mecklenburg County to earn a dismissal all you had to do is not show up on your court date?

Finally could someone call Tom Homan? 

Officer's Affidavit:

On January 26, 2025, at 0523 hrs. at the E. Independence Blvd Fugate Ave. the listed defendant was inside of vehicle which collided with parked Marked Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (SUV) that was occupied by an officer and another officer was standing outside of the marked patrol car but near the marked patrol car that was struck. One officer was struck because of the crash. The defendant exited the vehicle and took off running on foot towards the woods without rendering add to the officers involved in the Vehicle Crash. 

The officer who was inside the marked patrol car was able to exit the patrol car as the defendant was running from the scene of the vehicle crash and ordered him to stop running and place his hands behind his back. The defendant resist, delay or obstruct officer K. Caldwell, public officer holding the office of police officer employed with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, by running away from the vehicle crash and did not render aid to the injured. At the time, the officer was discharging or attempting to discharge duty of her office, as she investigated the vehicle crash. 

The defendant asked for the status of the officers involved when interviewed at the Providence Team Office showing he has knowledge of injuries to the officers but did not render aid. RESISTING OR DELAYING OR OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER GS 14-223

The suspect vehicle displaying NC Tag; DJW-7420 had two occupants that remained on scene, and both were eliminated as being the driver and the registered owner of the vehicle responded to the vehicle crash scene and advised the defendant had control of her vehicle and was the last person she saw driving the vehicle and gave physical description of the defendant that also matches the description of the defendant at the time of arrest. 

During the investigation with interviews and description of the driver the defendant was determined to be the driver during the vehicle crash. 

The defendant is also charged with Felony Hit and Run Drivers failure to stop or remain on scene with injury occurs G.S. 20-166(a1)

Released by Garry McFadden at 10:59 am on Tuesday January 28, 2025

Cedar Update:

Aaron Christian Sipf was released by Garry McFadden's MCSO on Tuesday January 28, 2025 at 10:59 am ICE Detainer be damned. 

Door Dash Driver Ventilates a Young Thug (What's the Over/Under?)

Keshawn Tyree Boyd has been charged with the murder of a young thug. But is that the right outcome of the Wednesday night shooting?

Keshawn Tyree Boyd Photo MCSO

A lot of heated comments on the Meckburbia but the law in North Carolina puts a heavy burden on citizen's use of force.

The following is a fictional portrayal of the known facts:

Wednesday night Keshawn Boyd is making a Doordash delivery and since the temps are in the high 20's he leaves his car running. This is his side gig (one of 3) and it pays big money when business is good and the cold temps means his driver app is buzzing with orders. He's running behind and he knows it as he joggs up the steps to the delivery apartment in Charlotte's 4th Ward. He's made this run before and the tip will be good.

He only glances across the parking lot when he spots two figures running towards his car. He sprints toward the driver's door and grabs his weapon before the two young thugs can close the doors and steal his car. The unarmed kid, only 15, ties to drive away and Boyd unceremoniously ventalies the POS. The other thug runs away. 

Boyd calls 911 telling the dispatcher "someone has been shot" and Officers and Medic plus Charlotte Fire are dispatched. 

The shot kid bleeds out on the cold pavement before medic arrives

Just ten minutes after the 911 call Matthias Crockett's body is covered with a trap.

An hour later Officers make the visit to the house where Crockett lives. The home is less than 3 miles away in nearby Enderly Park. The 15 year old has walked to 4th ward with a friend. from the 15 year old's home. The house is unkept and dark. His handicapped grandmother shakes her head but is not surprised. 

Meanwhile Boyd's car is towed, his weapon taken into evidence and he's placed in handcuffs. At the law enforcement center he's talking a blue streak. He mistakenly assumes homicide detectives are his friends that they will see it his way so he wants to talk, he waives his miranda rights that he doesn't really understand while everyone is talking notes.

CMPD Officer Affidavit 

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 1846 hours, Central. Division Officers responded to an Assault with Deadly Weapon with Injury call for service at 417 8th Street. The 911 caller advised that someone had been shot. 

Medic arrived and pronounced the victim, Matthias Crockett (B/M, 7/15/2009), deceased from gunshot wounds at 1854 hours. Homicide and Crime Scene responded to the scene.

Detectives conducted voluntarily interview with Keshawn Boyd (B/M, 11/20/1997). During the interview, Boyd confessed to using his 9mm pistol to shoot and kill the victim. The victim was not armed during the incident.

Based upon the facts, Boyd is being charged with 1st Degree Murder.

Jeremiah Dossett CMPD (4875)

Dossett understands process of shooting someone having done so nearly ten years earlier. The suspect lived. The facts and the situation weigh heavily on him but the law is clear.

In North Carolina, deadly force is only justified when someone reasonably believes it's necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another person. This is known as the "stand your ground" law or more formally in North Carolina as Castle Doctrine. 

When is deadly force justified?

You're in your home, vehicle, or workplace 

You're defending yourself or another person from an imminent threat 

You're protecting your home, vehicle, or workplace from an intruder 

You reasonably believe the attacker intends to kill, inflict serious bodily harm, or commit a felony. 

What are the exceptions?

You can't be the aggressor in the situation. 

You can't use deadly force against police officers, law enforcement, or bail bondsmen who are lawfully acting 

Without fear or the threat of being harmed use of force is not justified.

Dossett signs the Affidavit as does the magistrate. It is just before midnight cue the 48 hours countdown clock.

Less than 24 hours later Mecklenburg County District County Judge Matt Newton will concur with the magistrate denying Boyd bail at least for now. Newton's order is a punt to Superior Court but Boyd will have to sit in a cell for now.

Where is this perp now?

Meanwhile the thug's family goes full George Floyd:

They portray Matthias as the victim. "Beloved 9th Grade Student at West Charlotte High School and member of the wrestling team".

Who are The January 6th Protestors Not Pardoned?

President Donald Trump has pardoned or vowed to dismiss the cases of almost every one involved in the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol.

It means more than 1,500 people, including some people charged or convicted of assaulting police officers, will no longer be charged or deemed guilty of those crimes.

Fourteen of those involved, listed below, were not pardoned but instead had their sentences commuted, meaning those still incarcerated will be released from prison.

So they must be the worst of the bunch? Absolute violent terrorists? Take Jacob Chansley known as ‘QAnon Shaman’ was sentenced to 41 months

Most sentences and active prison time were given for relatively low-level offenses, such as "illegally parading" or "demonstrating" in the Capitol for parading around and having random conversations with capitol police officers. His most violent outburst occured in the senate chamber and broadcast live for the world to see was "Whoa look at this place".

Still Trump drew the line in commuting rather than pardoning these 14, who were convicted of more serious charges such as seditious conspiracy.

The FBI has spent the past 4 years and millions of tax dollars tracking down people who were involved in the January 6th protests. Four people supporters of Donald Trump died during the protests including Ashli Babbitt, who was shot to death by a Capitol Police Officer, two who had medical histories and died of heart attacks and one person who died of a drug overdoes.

While no police officers died during the protests, five police officers died following it. Four of those officers took their own lives, and one died of a stroke following injuries sustained at the scene.

Once and for all No officers were killed on January 6th despite repeated lies to the contrary.

The sentences for the following 14 were particularly harsh. However not one ever lifted a hand against capitol police. Much of the detail below was derived from a rather bias Newsweek article posted on Tuesday. The link is here.

Stewart Rhodes

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who wears an eye patch, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington, June 25, 2017.

Former head and founder of the Oath Keepers Elmer Stewart Rhodes III was sentenced in 2023 to 18 years for seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding and tampering with documents and proceedings. At the time, Rhodes said he was a "political prisoner."

The Oath Keepers, founded in 2009, is one of the largest anti-government, far-right organizations in the U.S., according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

Prior to January 6, Rhodes posted to the Oath Keepers website saying: "It is CRITICAL that all patriots who can be in D.C. get to D.C. to stand tall in support of President Trump's fight to defeat the enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup, through the massive voter fraud and related attacks on our Republic. We Oath Keepers are both honor-bound and eager to be there in strength to do our part."

At his prosecution, federal prosecutor Kathryn Rakoczy said: "Mr. Rhodes led a conspiracy to use force and violence to intimidate and coerce members of our government into stopping the lawful transfer of power following a presidential election. As the court has just found - that is terrorism."

Kelly Meggs

Artist sketch depicting the trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, seated second left with an eye patch, Jessica Watkins, of Woodstock, Ohio, seated third from right, Kelly Meggs, of Dunnellon, Fla., seated second from right, and defendant Kenneth Harrelson, of Titusville, Fla.

The former head of the Oath Keepers' Florida chapter was sentenced to 12 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings in 2023.

In a release at the time, the Justice Department (DOJ) said he and Rhodes had plotted "to oppose, by force, the lawful transfer of presidential power," using encrypted messages to coordinated travel to Washington, D.C., on or around January 6, 2021.

Meggs played a pivotal role at the riots that followed through coordinating activities outside of the Capitol building alongside Rhodes, the DOJ said.

Kenneth Harrelson

Harrelson, another member of the Oath Keepers who stormed the Capitol building, was sentenced to 4 years for obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings.

Per the DOJ, Harrelson was part of a group that "employed a variety of manners and means, including: organizing into teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C.; recruiting members and affiliates; organizing trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics; bringing and contributing paramilitary gear, weapons, and supplies – including knives, batons, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection, and radio equipment – to the Capitol grounds."

Jessica Watkins

Another member of the Oath Keepers, and the founder of an Ohio offshoot militia group, Watkins was sentenced to 8.5 years for her role in the riots.

Watkins was found guilty of mobilizing her militia group to storm the Capitol in tactical gear. She was sentenced under conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

Thomas Caldwell

Thomas Caldwell of Berryville, Va., arrives at the federal courthouse, Sept. 28, 2022, in Washington.

Retired Navy intelligence officer Caldwell was cleared earlier this month of the most serious charges he faced over the January 6 attack.

Caldwell was acquitted by a federal jury of seditious conspiracy and two other conspiracy offenses in one of the most serious cases brought by the Justice Department. One of two counts he was found guilty on at trial was dismissed in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.

He served 53 days in prison for his remaining obstruction of justice offense conviction for deleting messages after the riot.

Per his sentencing memo, Caldwell said, "[I] heard that Pence f*cked us . . . so I grabbed up my American flag and said let's take the damn capitol...let's storm the place and hang the traitors." He described the riot as a "great time."

Roberto Minuta

Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas, leaves federal court in Washington, Jan. 23, 2023. 

Oath Keepers member, Minuta was sentenced in June 2023 to 54 months in prison for seditious conspiracy charges.

He was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and obstruction of an official proceeding conspiracy to prevent Congress members from discharging their official duties on January 23.

Joseph Hackett

Another Oath Keeper, Hackett was sentenced in June 2023 to 42 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release for seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding conspiracy to prevent Congress members from discharging their official duties on January 223, and destruction of evidence.

Edward Vallejo

Oath Keeper member Vallejo was sentenced alongside Hackett and Minuta, to 36 months in prison, with the first year to be spent under home confinement.

He was convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and obstruction of an official proceeding conspiracy to prevent Congress members from discharging their official duties.

David Moerschel

Moerschel was charged alongside fellow Oath Keeper members Vallejo, Hackett, and Minuta.

He was given 36 months in prison for the same charges of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and obstruction of an official proceeding conspiracy to prevent Congress members from discharging their official duties on Jan. 23.

Ethan Nordean

Proud Boys members Joseph Biggs, left, and Ethan Nordean, right with megaphone, walk 

toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021.

Nordean was a leader of the Proud Boys group and was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release for his role in the January 6 riot.

Nordean was convicted of felonies, including: seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress or federal officers from discharging their duties.

Proud Boys has been labelled as a "general hate" group by the Southern Poverty Law Center a left wing defacto NAACP legal hit mob. A specific branch of the Proud Boys who called themselves the "Ministry of Self Defence," played a pivotal organizational and violent role in the attempted insurrection, according to prosecutors.

"In the days leading to Jan. 6, Nordean and other leaders of the Ministry of Self-Defense hand-selected co-defendant Pezzola and others known as "rally boys" to participate in the attack on the Capitol that day," the DOJ said in a news release in September 2023, shortly after he was sentenced.

"This group established a chain of command, chose a time and place for their attack and intentionally recruited others who would follow their top-down leadership and who were prepared to engage in physical violence if necessary."

Dominic Pezzola

Dominic Pezzola, center with police shield, confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.

Pezzola, another Proud Boys leader, was charged alongside Nordean to 10 years in prison for obstructing justice and 'conspiracy to prevent members of Congress or federal officers from discharging their duties before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.'

Per the DOJ, Pezzola was instrumental in leading recruits into the Capitol on January 6, and surged past officers who were working to contain the mob. Pezzola himself smashed open a window in the Capitol to allow rioters to enter the building.

Joseph Biggs

In this Jan. 6, 2021, photo, Proud Boys including Joseph Biggs, front left, 

walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Another Proud Boys leader, Biggs was sentenced to 17 years for seditious conspiracy and other related charges.

Biggs was also in the so-called Ministry of Self Defense group, and said the riot was a "warning shot to the government – look, we started this country this way and we'll f*ckin' save it this way.",

Zachary Rehl

Proud Boys member Zachary Rehl walks toward the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan 6 2021.

Rehl was charged alongside fellow Proud Boy Joseph Biggs to 15 years for seditious conspiracy and other related charges.

Rehl posted over social media that January 6 was a "historic day," and that he was "so f*cking proud" of the Proud Boys' "raid of the capitol."

Jeremy Bertino

Jeremy Bertino, another former Proud Boys leader, pled guilty in 2022 to seditious conspiracy charges.

Bertino was not present at the actual riot because he was recovering from being stabbed at another Proud Boys riot in December, 2020; however he participated in the encrypted chats set up by the Ministry of Self Defence, and was a key organizer behind the January 6 insurrection attempt, prosecutors said.

Cedar's Take:

I don't like the idea of pardons. I don't think Rick Hendrick deserved one and I've known Rick Hendrick most of my life. The J6 protesters prosecution was a ridiculous witch hunt. 

As everyone saw in Charlotte those charged in the George Floyd protests saw no jail time and most had their charges dismissed. Yes there were scuffles and objects thrown at DC and Capitol Police in some quarters of the capitol, but few actual hands on arrests and fewer assault on officers events.  

As you can see in the above detail most of these people sentenced to long prison terms (remember in the federal system there is no early parole) because of their age were given life sentences for only directing and basically firing up the protestors. One of these men (Bertino) wasn't even there in Washington at the time of the protests. 

The prosecution and judgement of the 1,500 men and women who received pardons was vindictive and the evidence of judicial bias was overwhelming. These arrests and trials should have never happened and frankly the pardons should have been done by Joe Biden the day he was sworn in. Trump should have give pre-emptive pardons on the morning Biden took office but his DOJ was in a shambles.

Fatal MVA Motorcycle vs Car

From CMPD:

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal crash that occurred near the 7100 block of East W.T. Harris Boulevard in the Hickory Grove Division.

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, shortly after 1:30 a.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle crash with injuries near the 7100 block of East W.T. Harris Boulevard. When officers arrived, they located a red 2012 Ford Fusion and a red 2017 Yamaha FZ-09 motorcycle with heavy damage in the middle of the intersection. Officers located the operator of the motorcycle, Anthony Ayala, 25, lying unresponsive in the middle of the roadway. MEDIC responded to the scene and pronounced Mr. Ayala deceased. 

Two passengers of the Ford Fusion, Edgar Zabir Gonzalez-Perez, 20, and a juvenile, 10, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another passenger in the Ford Fusion, Roberto Emanuel Ortiz, 14, was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced deceased. The driver of the Ford Fusion, Sara Perez, did not report any injuries.  Mr. Ayala was wearing a DOT-approved helmet, and all four occupants of the Ford Fusion appeared to be wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.

Detectives with the Major Crash Investigation Unit and the DWI Task Force responded to the scene to begin their investigation. The initial investigation indicates Mr. Ayala was driving southbound on East W.T. Harris Boulevard at an extremely high rate of speed when he collided with the Ford Fusion that was driving northbound on East W.T. Harris Boulevard and attempting to make a left turn onto Hickory Grove Road.

Speed and impairment are suspected factors in this collision for the operator of the motorcycle. Toxicology results are pending. Speed and impairment are not factors in this collision for the driver of the Ford Fusion.

Cedar's Take:

Might be the DOB of the motorcyclist is wrong. Any chance he's 29 and not 25? There is a lot of unpack here more so if the speeding rider is Anthony Ayala DOB 08/25/1995.

Another One Bites The Dust

According to CMPD on Saturday, January 18, 2025, shortly after 12:30 a.m., officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 9500 block of Walkers Ferry Road in the Freedom Division. 

The vehicle did not stop and fled from officers at a high rate of speed. 

Officers did not pursue the vehicle but located it a short distance later in the 11200 block of Windy Grove Road in the Freedom Division. 

While officers were conducting their investigation, they located someone yelling for help in Lake Wylie. 

They rescued the male subject from the lake and began life-saving efforts. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital by MEDIC where he was pronounced deceased.

Steve Smith Ibarra Photos Courtesy MCSO

The victim in this case has been identified as Steve Smith Ibarra, 35. The victim’s next of kin has been notified of his death.

Mr. Smith if ID'd correctly has a colorful criminals record. Serving 5 years and 11 months for armed robbery, and possession of a stolen vehicle in 2006 followed by his release in 2011.

But following that released the thinking of Mecklenburg courts took a stunning turn towards criminals as being victims.  

The following years of Mr. Smith's criminal history is troubling he saw more than 50 cases most dismissed by the Mecklenburg DA including possession of a stolen vehicle in March of 2022.

Crimes that would have kept him safe in prison simply cut him loose with every arrest.

Once again proving incarceration saves lives.

 

Ahylea Willard's Killer Remains Behind Bars More Than 2 Years After Her Murder

On a cold October night in 2022 Ahylea Willard was shot dead while fleeing for her life.

Her body was found the next day, in the grass, behind an apartment building on Snow Lane in Charlotte.

A video was circulated on social media that showed several black kids gawking at Willard’s cold lifeless body. Some even joking about getting some gloves and then stealing her jewelry.  Another young voice stating that he wasn't gonna touch a dead body and that "Five-Oh" was on the way.

Such is the mentality of black youth in Charlotte.

32-year-old Ahylea Willard had traveled from her home in Asheboro, N.C., to Charlotte to have dinner with a friend.  How she ended up on Snow Lane has still not be revealed by CMPD.

In the days after her body was discovered, CMPD released photos of Willard’s Mercedes Benz that was stolen after she was killed.  

Three weeks later Tyquawon Parker, 27, was arrested by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office on outstanding warrants for murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection with the shooting death of Ahylea Willard. 

Tyquawon Bernard Parker Photo Courtesy MCSO

Parker was arrested through a joint investigation that included Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Greensboro police and Guilford County deputies. 

On November 21, 2022 Parker was indicted by a Mecklenburg County grand jury for the murder of Ahylea Willard as well as felon in possession of a firearm and armed robbery.

Parker has been held in the Mecklenburg County Jail since his arrest. His trial has been repeatedly postponed and is now set for December 31, 2025.

His defense attorney asked the court to set a bond so that he could be released but that request was denied. Parker remains held without bond.

The facts of the case are simple Parker armed with a 45 caliber handgun threaten Willard and demanded the keys to her car. When she ran, he chased her down shot her in the neck killin her. Parker then took her car keys and stole her car and fled the scene.

Parker had been previously convicted of 3 counts robbery with a dangerous weapon and a 1st degree burglary that he committed in 2016. He was released from prison in 2021 after 4 years and 10 months. He was released from parole one year later in June of 2022, less than six months before killing his victim.

Of his prior crimes he should have received a longer than ten year prison sentence and that would have spared Willard's life.

The case a languished in the Mecklenburg County Courts due to caseload and inefficiency. Distinct Attorney Spencer Merriweather has not made the case a low priority and only this past december did the court appointed defense attorney Robert Reeves make a request for an review of the GSR tested. That motion was granted.The trial date no listed at 12/31/2025 which is simply a punt into 2026 if not pressed by the defense attorney. 

This is where cases go to die and eventually be dismissed.Odds are that Parker like many Charloot's most dangerous felons will be back on the streets before long.

Where is he now?

Cedar's Take: Incarceration saves lives.

Pineville Officer Involved Shooting Suspect ID'd

The Pineville Police Department has named the deceased in the Tavern 51 Officer Involved Shooting as Coleton Maxwell Floren DOB 07/20/2000.

Coleton Maxwell Floren Photo Courtesy MCSO

Floren was on active probation for weapons and drug charges. Records show dozens of charges (42) between 2017 and 2024. With a total of six convictions in Union and Mecklenburg Counties. 

As a convicted felon Floren was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Video released shows Floren pacing behind seated patrons with a weapon which he raises towards one patron.

The Local Paper Goes To Court Pineville Releases Audio

Pineville released recordings of a 911 call and police radio communications from the incident Monday afternoon. In the 911 call, the caller — another customer — said the police needed to get to the bar quickly because Floren was “drunk out of his mind” and threatening to “shoot up the place.” 

Floren was mad, the caller said, because he wouldn’t let Floren buy him a drink. He told the dispatcher he saw Floren with three guns and that he pointed a 9mm gun at him and threatened to kill him. 

He said he didn’t know what other guns Floren had. At one point, after the customer said Floren left the bar and went outside, the caller went to a nearby Planet Fitness to keep an eye on Floren. 

When a police officer arrived, the caller pointed Floren out to him. In the background, an officer can be heard giving Floren commands, including to tell him to turn around and to stop, before two shots can be heard and someone yells. Then the audio cuts off.

In the police radio communications recording, which was over 13 minutes long, an officer was given information that the customer in the 911 call provided, as well as a description of Floren, who was wearing a white hoodie and black sweatpants, according to the recordings. 

Around two minutes into the recording, an officer confirmed he arrived. The audio then cuts to the aftermath of the shooting. The recording does not include the initial confrontation, the officer commanding Floren to stop, or when the shots were fired. 

Another also confirmed shots were fired by a police officer, and that MEDIC was needed. At one point, while the officers were waiting for medical support to arrive, an officer confirmed they were near the Planet Fitness and that Floren was still breathing. 

Another officer at the scene later said he found Floren’s gun beside a trash can in front of a store called Cigar and Vape. 

Investigators also put down markers near items at the scene, an officer said. 

Cedar's Take: 

Based on additional facts, Floren may have been unarmed at the time he was engaged by the Pineville Officer. However the perceived threat is still present given Floren's actions and the Officer's knowledge at the time.

Still there will be no fire storm of media coverage, no protests, no vigil held at the shopping center where Floren apparently threatened patrons. Because Floren is white his life apparently didn't matter as much as if he was black. 

Finally Media's portrayal of Tavern 51 as a "bar" is rather sad. Tavern 51 is no more a bar than Hickory Tavern, or the now closed Fox and Hound, or others in the area.