A violent shooting took the life of Ryan Elliott, 26, on Memorial Day weekend 2023 in uptown Charlotte, NC. Ryan was shot and killed on May 27, 2023 on West Third Street near Truist Field. Joseph Crawford, 26, is charged with Ryan’s homicide.
Murders in Charlotte on Memorial Day weekend happen nearly every year, click here to see.
As a result of the continued investigation, detectives identified Joseph Crawford as a suspect. On Sunday, May 28, 2023, members of the police Violent Criminal Apprehension Team tried to arrest Joseph in Gastonia, NC.
Police say, during the apprehension of Joseph, a vehicle that he was operating shot at an unmarked police vehicle that was occupied by detectives.
The cops ran for cover, and more shots were fired at the police. The car that Joseph was alleged to be in then sped off. A vehicle pursuit was initiated. Cops chased the suspect vehicle from Gastonia all the way to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Cops say that no officers fired their service weapons during this interaction, although that is very hard to believe.
When the chase ended at the airport, Joseph was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Joseph was also charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and felony flee to elude.
