On Wednesday, Charles Edward Stevenson, Jr., appeared virtually before Wake County Judge Margaret Eagles. He is being charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied property. His other charge, which is assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, was dismissed by the state. District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said, based on new information, the charges were upgraded to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
"One of your charges was dismissed as being recharged in a different way. And so, we'll see you tomorrow," said Judge Eagles. "At this time, you're going to be held with no bond on this charge."
Stevenson had a new first appearance on Thursday afternoon under his new charge. The judge denied him bond.
Man charged in road rage incident has 2nd first appearance
Court documents obtained by ABC11 News on Monday indicate that Stevenson discharged a firearm into a Ford F150 along U.S. 1 between the U.S. 64 offramp and Cary Parkway overpass while a man was behind the wheel with his daughter in the backseat.
The father of the 5-year-old victim said Monday afternoon he was heading into Raleigh to pick up his 8-year-old daughter when he noticed an altercation between Charles Stevenson Jr. and a female driver.
Stevenson threw an object at the female driver's car, and it hit the Ford F150.
According to the driver, Stevenson was driving erratically in rush hour traffic. It gave the driver time to report the suspect's car make and model to police. He said he lost sight of Stevenson for about ten minutes or so before seeing him again on the highway.
He tried to get Stevenson's attention, and that's when the suspect fired one shot into his car. The bullet struck the driver's 5-year-old daughter, Ema in her right thigh before getting lodged in her cup. The driver told Eyewitness News that his daughter had undergone one major surgery since Monday to repair muscle tendons and ligaments in her leg.
He said doctors believe it will take between four and six months for her to recover.
Investigation Timeline
According to Raleigh police, the shooting happened around 6:00 p.m. Monday as both vehicles exited the ramp onto US 1 Northbound.
Officers who responded found a 5-year-old girl with a gunshot wound in her leg after being hit by a stray bullet while inside the car. She was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery Monday night. On Tuesday, police said she's already had several medical procedures and is expected to recover.
During the investigation, police determined that only one shot was fired.
Charles Edward Stevenson Jr. was taken into custody in Raleigh shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday. Police tell ABC11 that tips from people in the community led them to Stevenson.
Stevenson is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a firearm into occupied property.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Cary First Responders, Wake County EMS personnel, and the exceptional medical team for their care, and we wish her well as she recovers," Cary Police said in a release.
Anyone who has further information on this case is asked to call the Cary Police Department at (919) 469-4012.
ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Cary, Raleigh and in your neighborhood