Charlotte, December 21, 2025
Charlotte is reeling from a series of tragic incidents, including the death of a 15-year-old girl due to an e-bike collision, two fatal shootings, and a pedestrian killed in a train crash. Authorities are investigating these events, emphasizing the need for community cooperation in addressing public safety issues. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are seeking witnesses and information regarding these cases as the city grapples with its implications for road and neighborhood safety.
Charlotte
Charlotte has faced a somber 48 hours, marked by several tragic incidents that have led to fatalities across the city. Authorities are actively investigating the death of a 15-year-old girl who succumbed to injuries sustained in an e-bike collision last month, alongside two fatal shootings that occurred within minutes of each other early Saturday morning, and a fatal train crash involving a pedestrian also on Saturday. These events underscore ongoing public safety concerns and the dedicated efforts of local law enforcement.
Teen Dies Weeks After E-Bike Collision
A tragic incident has culminated in the death of Amber Caralexa Paris, a 15-year-old girl who was involved in an e-bike collision with a driver in east Charlotte in November. Paris was reportedly struck around 5:44 p.m. on November 24, 2025, at the intersection of Driftwood Drive and Winterfield Place. She was riding an electric bicycle when she was hit by a 2011 Dodge Caliber and subsequently thrown from the bike, sustaining life-threatening injuries.
Paris died from her injuries at a hospital on Friday, December 19, 2025. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Julio Cesar Xocop-Vicente, fled the scene on foot after the collision but was apprehended by police the following day, November 25. He faces charges including felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, and no operator’s license. Detectives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Major Crash Investigation Unit are continuing their investigation and will work with the District Attorney’s Office to determine if additional charges will be filed.
Authorities urge anyone who witnessed the original crash or possesses further information to contact CMPD directly or provide anonymous tips to Charlotte Crime Stoppers.
Multiple Fatal Shootings Rock Charlotte Neighborhoods
Early Saturday morning, Charlotte was shaken by two separate fatal shootings that occurred within minutes of each other in different parts of the city. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating both incidents.
The first incident occurred after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, when officers responded to a call for an individual with gunshot wounds in the 100 block of East Woodlawn Road in the Westover Division. The victim was transported to a local hospital but was later pronounced deceased.
Minutes later, police were called to an assault with a deadly weapon in the 200 block of Hawthorne Lane in the Providence Division, also shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Officers found a victim with life-threatening gunshot wounds who was later pronounced deceased by medical staff. Detective Murphy is the lead detective assigned to the investigation concerning the Hawthorne Lane incident.
Detectives are diligently working to uncover the circumstances surrounding both homicides. The CMPD encourages anyone with information related to these shootings to contact the Homicide Unit or Charlotte Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Pedestrian Killed in Train Crash
In another tragic event on Saturday, Daniel Kotrman, a 48-year-old pedestrian, was killed in a train crash in southeast Charlotte. The incident occurred shortly after 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in the 9500 block of Monroe Road in the Independence Division.
Responding officers found Mr. Kotrman unresponsive alongside the southeast-bound track with serious injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation by the CMPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit indicates that Mr. Kotrman was lying on the track when he was struck by a southeast-bound CSX train. Authorities do not suspect impairment on the part of the CSX train operator.
This active and ongoing investigation involves representatives from CSX, the Charlotte Fire Department, and the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office. Witnesses or individuals with information about this fatal crash are asked to contact Detective Pressley at CMPD or Charlotte Crime Stoppers.
City Rallies Amid Public Safety Concerns
These recent fatalities have cast a shadow over Charlotte, prompting concerns about public safety and road vigilance. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department remains committed to thorough investigations into each case, deploying specialized units such as the Major Crash Investigation Unit and the Homicide Unit. Police emphasize the importance of community cooperation in solving these crimes and preventing future tragedies. Residents are reminded to exercise caution on roads, particularly when sharing them with e-bikes and pedestrians, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to the teen on the e-bike?
- A 15-year-old girl, Amber Caralexa Paris, died from injuries sustained in an e-bike collision with a driver on November 24, 2025. She passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025.
- When was the e-bike death reported?
- The death of Amber Caralexa Paris was reported on December 21, 2025, at 5:30 AM.
- Where did the e-bike collision occur?
- The e-bike collision occurred at the intersection of Driftwood Drive and Winterfield Place in east Charlotte.
- Has anyone been charged in the e-bike incident?
- Yes, the driver, 40-year-old Julio Cesar Xocop-Vicente, was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, and no operator’s license. Further charges may be determined by the District Attorney’s Office.
- How many fatal shootings occurred in Charlotte early Saturday?
- Two individuals were fatally shot in Charlotte within minutes of each other early Saturday, December 20, 2025.
- Where were the fatal shootings located?
- One fatal shooting occurred in the 100 block of East Woodlawn Road, and another in the 200 block of Hawthorne Lane.
- When did the fatal train crash occur?
- A fatal train crash involving a pedestrian occurred shortly after 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
- Who was the victim of the train crash?
- The victim of the train crash was Daniel Kotrman, 48 years old.
- What caused the train crash?
- The preliminary investigation indicates that Daniel Kotrman was lying on the southeast-bound track when he was struck by a CSX train.
Key Incident Features
| Incident Type | Victim(s) | Date of Incident/Death | Location | Driver/Suspect Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal E-bike Collision | Amber Caralexa Paris, 15 | Incident: Nov 24, 2025 Death: Dec 19, 2025 |
Driftwood Drive and Winterfield Place, East Charlotte | Julio Cesar Xocop-Vicente, 40, arrested and charged (felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, no operator’s license). | Teen struck by a 2011 Dodge Caliber, driver fled scene but was later arrested. Investigation ongoing for further charges. |
| Fatal Shooting 1 | Undisclosed individual | Dec 20, 2025, after 3:30 a.m. | 100 block of East Woodlawn Road, Charlotte | Investigation ongoing. | Victim found with gunshot wounds, died at hospital. CMPD Homicide Unit investigating. |
| Fatal Shooting 2 | Undisclosed individual | Dec 20, 2025, after 3:30 a.m. | 200 block of Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte | Investigation ongoing. | Victim found with life-threatening gunshot wounds, died at hospital. CMPD Homicide Unit investigating. |
| Fatal Train Crash | Daniel Kotrman, 48 | Dec 20, 2025, after 9:45 a.m. | 9500 block of Monroe Road, Charlotte | Train operator not suspected of impairment. | Pedestrian struck by a CSX train while lying on the track. CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit investigating. |
Now Happening on X
- @Queen_City_News (December 20, 2025, 3:00 PM) A 15-year-old girl has died from injuries sustained in a November hit-and-run crash while riding an e-bike in east Charlotte, with more charges pending against the driver. View on X
- @theobserver (December 21, 2025, 6:10 AM) Police report that a teen on an e-bike who was hit by a driver in Charlotte has died. View on X
- @TBradleyNC (December 6, 2025, 10:57 AM) Recap of recent violence in Charlotte includes a light rail stabbing, another stabbing near Eastway Drive, shots fired at police, and a shooting with a critically injured victim, calling for National Guard intervention. View on X
- @RobertBurns82 (December 6, 2025, 9:52 PM) Governor Josh Stein attended the swearing-in of Charlotte’s first female police chief but did not address the city’s violent crime issues in his speech. View on X
- @nicholasmcraig (December 9, 2025, 6:29 AM) A 24-year-old was stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail, yet the City Council is allocating $3.4 million for ads promoting safety instead of addressing the issue. View on X
- @primeviewnews (December 17, 2025, 5:25 PM) Newly released 911 calls from a December stabbing on a Charlotte light rail train reveal passengers’ pleas for help after an alleged attack by an illegal immigrant. View on X
- @995WRNN (December 17, 2025, 5:31 PM) 911 calls from a Charlotte train stabbing incident capture desperate pleas for help following an alleged attack by an illegal immigrant on a passenger. View on X
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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