Rental Pool Party in North Charlotte Turns Fatal Leaving One Dead and Four Injured in Sudden Shooting

A 20-year-old man was killed and four others injured during a shooting at a North Charlotte pool party. Police are investigating the online rental event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Charlotte Observer

A Neighborhood Gathering Culminates in Sudden Violence

What began as a typical social event in North Charlotte ended in tragedy this past Sunday when a pool party escalated into a deadly shooting. According to witnesses and neighbors on Hucks Road, the atmosphere was initially positive, with roughly 120 attendees enjoying music and a "pool vibe." However, the energy shifted abruptly when at least nine gunshots rang out, sending the crowd into a frantic scramble for safety. The aftermath left the backyard of the residence strewn with personal belongings, shoes, and debris as attendees fled the premises under a barrage of gunfire.

Identification of the Deceased and Extent of Injuries

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has officially identified the deceased victim as 20-year-old Richard Jeddiah Thomas. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where Thomas was found on the ground with a fatal chest wound. In addition to the fatality, at least four other individuals sustained various injuries during the incident, including one woman reportedly shot in the leg. Despite the high number of victims and the large crowd present at the time of the shooting, authorities announced that no arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.

The Rise of Online Residential Pool Rentals

The incident has brought localized scrutiny to the practice of renting out private residential amenities through online platforms. A resident of the home, Serge Arnaud, confirmed that the homeowner frequently used the internet to rent out the pool to external groups. This specific party was described by attendees as a legitimate, paid event, though neighbors noted that the residence had become a "regular hangout" for large crowds and loud music since the previous year. The shooting occurred just as a 12-hour work shift ended for some residents, who looked out their windows to find the yard swarming with police and fleeing teenagers.