Kings Mountain Police are actively searching for an 18‑year‑old suspect, Ahmad Rashad Leggett Jr., after he allegedly opened fire in a crowded gas station parking lot Friday afternoon. No one was injured, but the incident has triggered a serious manhunt and multiple felony charges.
How the shooting happened
- Police responded around 4:50 p.m. to the Silver Express gas station on East King Street in Kings Mountain after reports of shots fired.
- An earlier verbal altercation broke out between Leggett and a victim near a Little Caesars; he pulled out a black handgun, but bystanders stepped in and briefly defused the situation.
- Leggett then walked through an alley and went to the Silver Express, where he discharged the handgun several times toward the victim even though the parking lot was heavily crowded.
Charges and suspect description
- Leggett is wanted on multiple charges, including attempted first‑degree murder, discharging a firearm into occupied property, “going armed to the terror of the public,” discharging a firearm within city limits, and property damage.
- He is described as an 18‑year‑old Black male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing roughly 170 pounds.
What the public is being asked to do
- Kings Mountain Police are urging anyone with information about Leggett’s whereabouts to call 704‑734‑0444.
- Authorities are warning that he should be considered dangerous and that the public should not approach him but instead report anything suspicious to police.
This case is a reminder how quickly a roadside argument can escalate into a major criminal event, even in broad daylight. If you’re in the Kings Mountain or Gaston County area, staying alert and passing tips to police helps keep the community safer.
