Case Update: Officer-Involved Shooting in the Westover Division

Published on February 20, 2025

Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025) – The officers who perceived an imminent deadly threat and discharged their service weapons during this incident have been identified as:

• Officer Ryan Alberts assigned to Steele Creek Division. Officer Alberts began with CMPD on Oct. 25, 2021.
• Officer Ellis Wilcox assigned to Steele Creek Division. Officer Wilcox began with CMPD on Oct. 25, 2021.
• Officer Lucas Jayne assigned to Steele Creek Division. Officer Jayne began with CMPD on Jan. 17, 2023.

The subject, Erik Lopez Hernandez, 21, has been released from the hospital and charged with Attempted Murder on a Law Enforcement Officer and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill. Hernandez was then transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops it will be released by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) or by CMPD’s Public Affairs Division. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) to relay information.  The public can also leave information anonymously with Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20250211-0132-00.

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025) – At approximately 2 a.m. in the 7000 block of South Blvd., Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after multiple traffic stop attempts.

Preliminary information indicates that the vehicle pulled over, and the subject exited the vehicle. Officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and engaged with the subject.

At least one officer discharged a service weapon. The subject was struck, and officers rendered aid on scene. The subject was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The subject’s firearm was recovered on scene.

No officers were struck with gunfire or injured to our knowledge. Multiple officers were transported to a nearby hospital for precautionary measures.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is the lead investigating agency in the case. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation per standard protocol.

As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation.

Representatives from CMPD's Operations Command, Homicide Unit, MEDIC and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office also responded.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing.  As additional information develops it will be released by the NCSBI or by CMPD’s Public Affairs. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) to relay information.  The public can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20250211-0132-00.