Loved ones plead for answers after Halloween shooting of Charlotte teen Amari Cooper

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Friends and family of 17-year-old Amari Cooper released balloons at Lakewood Park on Saturday in remembrance of a lost daughter, mother and friend.

On Halloween night 2025, Cooper was at a party on Old Plank Road in northwest Charlotte when gunfire broke out. She was hit by a bullet and later died at the hospital.

Previous coverage: ‘It still doesn’t feel real’: Still no arrests after CMS student killed in Halloween party shooting

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not announced any arrests in the case. Family friend Leondra Garrett said she thinks someone at the party has key information that would lead to an arrest.

“But my question is, are (police) really looking for leads? There were 700 to 800 kids at the party. Everybody around there had Ring cameras, which they’re everywhere. So (police) have to have some tag numbers. They have to have social media pages because now that’s what they tap into, right?” said Garrett, who hopes CMPD is actively investigating the homicide.

For now, Garrett and others are remembering Cooper’s positivity, energy and care for others.

“She has a daughter and so she looks identical to her mom when she was a little girl. Just spending time with Mahogany and really just pouring into her, but talking about Amari every single day,” Garrett said.

A scholarship fund has also been started in her memory.

“Her mom just actually started a scholarship in Amari’s honor for young girls who want to go to cosmetology school or just may need some help with going to college,” Garrett said.

Anyone with information about the unsolved homicide is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Tipsters can remain anonymous and they can receive a cash reward if they have information that leads to an arrest. Community members can also submit tips about crimes through the P3 Tips app.