CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man is facing multiple charges in connection with the shooting of a Mecklenburg County park ranger and making threats at a north Charlotte day care, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Tuesday.
Tyson Lee Corpening, 36, was arrested Monday in connection with both incidents. Investigators said Corpening was the primary suspect in the shooting of a county park worker at Friendship Sportsplex on Nov. 27. Corpening was also identified as a suspect after a rock was thrown through a window at the Marizetta Kerry Child Development Center on Beatties Ford Road on Dec. 5. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said investigators quickly discovered evidence linking both cases.
Corpening is facing the following charges: attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, two counts of ethnic intimidation, damage to property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and threat of mass violence on educational property. No other suspects have been identified by police.
CMPD responded to a 911 call at the Marizetta Kerry Child Development Center on a few minutes after 8:30 a.m. Monday. CMPD alleges the rock had hate speech and multiple threats toward children on it. The day care is across Beatties Ford Road from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
No one was hurt during Monday's incident, CMPD said. Staff members and parents were notified of Corpening's arrest, CMPD announced in a news release.
“Panicked and scared," father Daquan Jeter said. “I would have never thought something like this would happen over there.”
Jennings said his department had evidence Monday's incident was connected to the shooting at Friendship Sportsplex. The park is within walking distance of the day care.
"This incident has some pretty clear links to the previous investigation," Maj. Melanie Peacock said. "It's critical we get the public's help on this. It's very likely someone in the community might know who's responsible."
CMPD said evidence from both crime scenes is being processed for commonalities. The FBI's field office in Charlotte is assisting CMPD with the investigation.
In addition to working with the FBI, CMPD officials said all patrol divisions are performing zone checks near day cares across Charlotte as a precaution.
“If this right here happened ain’t no telling what else can transpire if no police were here to stop that from happening," Jeter said.
Investigators are asking the public to provide any surveillance video they may have from the area showing any suspicious activity.
Any person with information about either incident is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
Contact Briana Harper at bharper@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect in this case because of the serious nature of the charges and public interest in the case.