Mooresville Park Shooting Leaves One Dead, Multiple Charged

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Mooresville Police Department is investigating a homicide following a shooting at Mazeppa Park Monday night.

Police said officers responded to the park at approximately 8:29 p.m. on December 29, 2025, after receiving a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found two juveniles suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Iredell EMS. The second victim was transported to Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital with a gunshot wound.

Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from an attempted armed robbery involving THC vape pens. According to police, the suspects arranged a meeting at Mazeppa Park under the pretense of purchasing the items. During the encounter, shots were fired by both parties. One group fled the scene in a vehicle before officers arrived.

That vehicle was located shortly after the shooting by officers with the Statesville Police Department.

Police announced that Bryan Fernandez Acevedo, 19, of Statesville; Jovany Jiminez, 17, of Statesville; Jonathan Jiminez, 17, of Statesville; Christopher Chacon Ventura, 16, of Statesville; and Christopher Palencia Lazo, 16, of Statesville have been charged as adults with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. One additional juvenile has been charged with the same offenses and will be identified after arrest.

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

The investigation remains active. Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. Mazeppa Park remains closed.