Three people are in critical condition after police say a North Carolina man shot at Amazon delivery vans and then crashed into three other vehicles.
Lonneil Mason, 34, of Charlotte is in critical but stable condition at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, the Lenoir County Sheriff said in a news release shared on social media.
The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office said. Mason allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road and hit three vehicles, including an SUV. He hit the SUV head-on and the two women who were inside are now in critical condition, the sheriff’s office said.
Lenoir County is located in the eastern part of the state, about 97 miles east of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The collision came after Mason allegedly shot at three other vehicles making deliveries on behalf of Amazon. None of the drivers making deliveries on behalf of Amazon were injured, the sheriff’s office said.
“The incidents remain under investigation by the LCSO and the State Highway Patrol,” the sheriff’s office said Monday.
Amazon said in a statement Monday afternoon that the shootings and crashes are "terrifying" and the company is glad the delivery drivers weren't hurt.
"We appreciate the fast response of local first responders and we’ll cooperate with the Lenoir County Sherriff’s Office as they investigate," Amazon said in the statement.
Man accused of shooting delivery drivers before hitting bystanders
Mason was driving a 2011 white BMW around 10:15 a.m. Sunday when he shot into three delivery vans using two different weapons, the sheriff's office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Mason is alleged to have done the following:
- Shot through the passenger door of the first van using a .45 caliber pistol.
- Shot through the back of the second van using an AR-15 pistol; the bullet went through the back of the van and through several packages.
- Shot through the driver’s side of the third van.
The crashes happened just 15 minutes later, the sheriff’s office said.
According to investigators, Mason was driving north in the southbound lane of North Carolina Highway 11 in the BMW when he hit three vehicles. The first vehicle lost a mirror, the second vehicle was hit head-on by Mason and the third vehicle was a truck carrying lawn mowers on a trailer.
No one was injured in the first and third crashes, but the two women in the second vehicle were injured during the head-on collision, the sheriff’s office said.
The women and Mason are being treated in Greenville.
‘Oh my God. That went all the way through.’
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office released 911 calls Monday afternoon. In one of the calls, a delivery driver said they were on the road when they heard a “loud pop.” They assumed it was a tire or a package and pulled over to check it out.
“There is a hole in the door,” the caller said. “Oh my God. That went all the way through. Holy (expletive).”
In another recording, a caller told authorities someone was trapped in a vehicle and there was smoke in the area.
"They’re trying to get somebody out of the car right now," the caller said.
In another clip, a caller tells authorities they can see an unconscious person in the roadway. The caller went to check the man’s pulse and noticed he was breathing but seemed to be bleeding from his head. The victim also had some sort of ankle injury too, the caller said.
“He’s breathing a little bit,” the caller said. “But he’s bleeding a lot. He’s covered in blood … I guess he (wasn’t) wearing a seatbelt or something but he’s laying out in the road bleeding.”
As the call went on, others in the area tried to get the other drivers out of their vehicle, the caller said.
What charges is the shooter facing?
The sheriff’s office said Mason will be charged with three counts of attempted first degree murder, three counts of shooting into occupied property, possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule I controlled substance.
There may be other charges, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said Mason has previous charges dating back to 2007, including an April 2007 case where he allegedly discharged a weapon into occupied property, as well as armed terror of the people. Those charges were eventually dropped.
Mason was in prison from July 2009 until December 2020 after being convicted of second degree murder and breaking and entering for a crime that occurred on June 28, 2007.
“These incidents are indeed tragic,” Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said in the press release. Rogers added that authorities don’t know why he shot at the delivery vehicles or drove in the wrong direction.
“We are asking for anyone who might’ve been on Harvey Parkway or N.C. 11 who saw something and could help our investigation to please call Lenoir County Communications at 252-559-6118,” Rogers said.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
