Anil Dabydeen, a 40-year-old resident of Charlotte, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after shooting at vehicles on Interstate 485. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to information presented in court, on January 8, 2025, officers from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded to reports of a shooting near the South Tryon Street exit on I-485. Several 911 callers described seeing a man in a white Honda sedan firing at passing vehicles. Upon arrival, officers found two victims whose vehicle had been hit by gunfire.
A witness provided video evidence showing an individual identified as Dabydeen walking around the white sedan and pointing a firearm at cars traveling on the highway. During their investigation, officers spotted the suspect vehicle traveling southbound at high speed and initiated a pursuit. After Dabydeen stopped the car, he was arrested without further incident.
Police recovered from Dabydeen a live round of 9mm ammunition and a Taurus G3c 9mm pistol that had previously been reported stolen. Court records indicate that Dabydeen has a prior felony conviction for first-degree manslaughter in New York, making it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson stated: “The violent shootings in Charlotte have gotten out of hand. Where we can, the federal government will step in and put the most violent offenders behind bars.”
Dabydeen remains in federal custody pending sentencing. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and CMPD led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa is prosecuting.
