CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Editor's note: The attached video originally aired on Dec. 1, 2022, before the victim died.
A 17-year-old Rocky River High School student who was shot while getting off his bus Wednesday died Friday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirmed.
Nahzir Taylor died from his injuries Friday morning. He was shot while getting off a school bus on Lanza Drive near Culver Spring Way.
CMPD arrested a juvenile suspect in connection with the shooting. The juvenile was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and two counts of discharging a firearm into occupied property.
Detectives are now seeking to upgrade the charges to first-degree murder, according to CMPD. The suspect has not been identified due to their age.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following statement following Taylor's death:
"We are saddened by the passing of Nazhir Taylor and acknowledge the impact this loss will have on our entire school community. We extend our condolences to the family and are committed to providing support to our students and staff during this difficult time."
Charlotte's NAACP Education Committee also issued a statement following Taylor's death:
"The Education Committee with the Charlotte Chapter of the NAACP would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends, the Rocky River High School staff, the student body, and all impacted by the senseless death of Nahzir Taylor.
As a community, we must work at a fever pitch to solve the gun violence destroying lives, our Charlotte communities, and reaping havoc within our school district. Schools must be safe havens for learning.
We need all hands-on deck to improve safety throughout our communities. Gun violence is not only a CMS issue but a City of Charlotte issue as we are losing countless young lives to this unspoken city-wide pandemic."
Security camera footage shows three people running into a car next to where Taylor was shot. The car turned around and fled the neighborhood.
"If the kids that go to the school know something, please say something so that we can make sure we catch them," a family member of Taylor said.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Any person with information about this shooting is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Witnesses may also call 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with CMPD homicide detectives.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.