3 hurt following Matthews shooting over child custody: Police

MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) –Three people were injured following a dispute over child custody that led to a shooting Sunday afternoon in Matthews, authorities said.

The ordeal began just after 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 30.

According to Matthews Police, a man called to say that he had just been shot by both his girlfriend’s ex-husband and the ex-husband’s brother.

The man told police that the shooting happened while he and his girlfriend in were in a car at 10140 Northeast Parkway. While on the phone with police, the victim reported that the two shooters were following their car.

Officers say the shooters followed the victims’ car until they reached Novant Health Matthews before the suspects drove off. The suspects’ car was spotted driving north on Matthews Mint Hill Road and a patrol officer ran a traffic stop leading to the men pulling over into the parking of the 7-Eleven and Exxon gas station at 11208 E. Independence Boulevard.

According to police, the driver of the car had a serious gunshot wound to the arm and officers applied a tourniquet until Medic could arrive. Medic reports that they took one person to Atrium CMC for serious injuries. He remains in stable condition.

Officers say that the driver’s two children and brother were also in the car. Investigators believe the incident was sparked by a domestic dispute over a child exchange in the Windsor Park parking lot.

The man who called the police also received medical care for a gunshot wound to the wrist and his girlfriend was treated for broken glass and a physical assault, according to police.

Detectives with Matthews Police are investigating the incident and charges are pending.