PRESS RELEASE

February 16, 2021
For Immediate Release

Contact: Kristin Prescott
704-892-1363

Cornelius Police Conducts Death Investigation
On Monday, February 15th, 2021, at approx. 6:55 p.m., Cornelius Police responded to 19301 Meridian St. Unit A. in reference to a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, a female victim was located in the back bedroom of her apartment. The victim, Gabriel Alexis Henderson, age 25, was pronounced deceased by MEDIC.
 
Detectives arrived on scene and after speaking with witnesses, it was determined the only people inside the apartment at the time of the shooting were the victim and her five children. 
 
There was a small semi-automatic handgun located on the bed in the bedroom where the victim was found. Four of the juveniles were in the room at the time of the shooting and detectives believe the juveniles found the gun inside the mother's purse. The mother was inadvertently shot, as well as the youngest child. The oldest child was in the living room, away from the others, when the incident occurred. The youngest child was transported by MEDIC to Atrium Main in Charlotte with non-life-threatening injuries. 
 
This case involves juveniles; therefore, we will not be releasing their names or any other identifying factors.