CHARLOTTE,N.C. -- The 18-year-old gunman in the Christmas Eve shooting at Northlake Mall had a long criminal history and an ongoing beef with other men, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
Daquan Westbrook warns, "kick back or your body is going to drop," in a music video posted to YouTube for "223 Freestyle. Posted in December, it is the last video uploaded featuring Westbrook. Known in the hip hop world as a rising star under the moniker Donkey Cartel. Beyond music, Westbrook had a lengthy rap sheet. He was arrested 11 times since 2013, most recently this past October. Charges include weapons possession, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for a 2013 shooting of a 12-year old-boy.
Donkey Cartel never made it to the big time with his music.
Several shots followed by screams can be heard in a video captured by a shopper at Northlake Mall on Christmas Eve. The video shows shoppers running and trampling over one another trying to find cover.
"He could still be out there, bro," says one shopper as he tries to convince others to stay put.
"Everyone hollered get down, get down they got a gun, they shooting, they shooting," said Anthony Gray, who was near where the shooting occurred.
Roosevelt Fullore was getting last minute gifts with his three children when the gunfire erupted.
"Jumped on the floor, ran in the back until we were safe," he said.
The chaotic scene can be heard through scanner traffic as CMPD communicated with one another trying to determine if they were dealing with an active shooter situation and the possibility of mass causalities.
"The shooting has stopped. We have one shooter down. We are trying to control the crime scene. 10-4," officers said across the scanner.
According to CMPD, Westbrook was that shooter. They say he pulled out a gun at Northlake Mall on Christmas Eve to settle an ongoing beef that he had with another group of men.
Investigators say off duty officer Thomas Ferguson was working in the mall when he heard several shots. He rushed to the scene and came face to face with Westbrook, who CMPD says pointed a gun at the officer. They say Ferguson shot and killed Westbrook.
Ferguson is an 19 year veteran with CMPD and received the Chief's Excellence in Policing Award in 2006. He is on paid administrative leave as this investigation continues.
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