Man accused of killing Charlotte protester in 2016 was firing at police, prosecutors say

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - As jury selection continues in the case against the man charged with the fatal shooting of a Charlotte protester back in 2016, we are getting a better idea of what prosecutors alleged happened that night.

On Monday, Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney Glenn Cole told potential jurors that the state will argue that Rayquan Borum was intentionally firing at CMPD officers when Justin Carr was hit and killed.

Borum is charged in the shooting death of Carr near the Omni Hotel in Uptown back in September of 2016. Carr was killed during the protests that followed the shooting death of Kieth Scott.

The prosecution team has been mostly quiet on what they say happened but the alleged accusation came out while Cole was questioning potential jurors during the jury selection process. The district attorney’s office argues that 'transferable intent’ in this case warrants a first-degree murder charge is appropriate.

Assistant District Attorney Cole and his team argue that Borum was trying to fire at officers but hit Carr, who was nearby, instead.

An autopsy released shows that Justin Carr was killed by a bullet to the head.

Borum’s defense told the Charlotte Observer that they had no comment about the statements made by Cole.

Jury selection will continue Tuesday as both sides look to seat 12 jurors and 3 alternates.

Borum faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted of first-degree murder.

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