20-Year-Old Arrested After 5-Year-Old Shot in Cary Road Rage Incident
CARY, NC – A 5-year-old girl is recovering from surgery after being shot in a road rage incident on U.S. 1 Northbound in Cary Monday evening. Less than 30 hours later, Cary police arrested 20-year-old Charles Edward Stevenson Jr., who is now facing multiple felony charges.
The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. on June 30, near the Cary Parkway exit ramp, as rush hour traffic began to build. According to police, the suspect fired a single shot into another vehicle during an apparent road rage altercation. The bullet struck 5-year-old Ema in the leg as she rode in the backseat of her family’s truck.
Arrest Made After Community Tips
Police say Stevenson was located in Raleigh and taken into custody just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1. He was interviewed by Cary detectives and booked into the Wake County Jail. Stevenson has been charged with:
- Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
- Discharging a firearm into occupied property
He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Investigators credited community tips with helping to quickly locate the suspect. “We are incredibly grateful to the Cary First Responders, Wake County EMS personnel, and the exceptional medical team for their care,” Cary Police said in a statement.
5-Year-Old Ema Faces Long Recovery
Ema’s family is now facing a difficult road ahead. According to her aunt, Aubree Allison, the bullet passed through Ema’s leg and lodged in her sippy cup. She underwent multiple surgeries and is expected to need extensive physical therapy before starting kindergarten.
“To hear the wailing from her mother last night at the hospital—no parent wants to get that phone call,” Allison said in an emotional interview with WRAL.
The family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover Ema’s medical expenses. They say she remains in good spirits, despite the trauma and physical pain she now faces.
What Police Know About the Shooting
According to Ema’s mother, the incident began on U.S. 64, where the suspect’s vehicle was weaving between lanes and threw an object at another car, which then struck their truck. The girl’s father caught up with the suspect’s car on U.S. 1 and reportedly rolled down the window to confront him.
At that moment, police say Stevenson fired one shot, striking Ema. No other injuries were reported.
Conclusion
This shooting has once again reignited concern over the role of guns in road rage incidents—and the devastating consequences that can result in a matter of seconds. Ema’s family is calling for greater awareness and accountability, hoping her story will motivate others to push for safer roads and stricter enforcement.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Cary Police Department at (919) 469-4012.
So, lemme get this straight: Dad was pissed about littering and what may have hit his vehicle in the way of trash or a plastic bottle. Dad has a preschool child in his car and thinks chasing down a reckless driver and then “confront” the bad driver was a good idea? No, he shouldn’t be shot for doing so. No, his kid shouldn’t be shot for Dad working out his frustrations either. Still, you have less of a chance of picking a stray bullet out of your kids lunch when you let the idiot continue on down the road without your good advice. If the Dad was alone and needed to establish himself, I understand. When you’re playing taxi Dad, remember your cargo first. I shouldn’t have to point any of this out.
Thank you Jon for saying it for all of us