IFN Staff

Six Statesville teens face murder charges after a juvenile was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at a popular Mooresville park on Monday evening. 

Officers responded to a report of a shooting at Mazeppa Park about 8:29 p.m. Monday, according to a Mooresville Police Department news release.

When officers arrived at the park, they found two juveniles had been shot, police said. One shooting victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Iredell County EMS personnel, and the second victim was transported to Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital with a gunshot wound. The names of the shooting victims have not been released.

During the ensuing investigation, police determined that the suspects arranged a meeting at Mazeppa Park under the premise of purchasing THC vape pens, according to the news release. Shots were fired by members of both groups during the attempted robbery, police said.

One group left the park in a vehicle prior to the arrival of MPD officers. The vehicle that left the park was located by Statesville Police Department officers shortly after the shooting, according to the news release.

Five Statesville teens, identified as Bryan Fernandez Acevedo, 19; Jovany Jiminez, 17; Jonathan Jiminez, 17; Christopher Chacon Ventura, 16; and Christopher Palencia Lazo, 16, have been charged as adults with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Another juvenile, whose name was not released, will be charged with the same crimes after he is located, police said. 

Two other adults, Carlos Ezequiel Rodriguez Garcia, 19, and Christian Alexis Gutierrez Chavez, 20, both of Statesville, have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

The case is under active investigation at this time, and any additional information will be released when available, police said. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation.

Mazeppa Park, a popular destination for youth sports, is currently closed.

Suspects