Ina Lang, 50, a dedicated Bank of America employee and mother of five, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after Sam’on Smith, 22, was shot Friday morning at a bank in northwest Charlotte.
Lang is a wife, mother of five, and a hard-working woman. Her husband of eight years told Channel 9 that she had worked at Bank of America for nearly 20 years. He didn’t know why she was killed, but he thought she might have been smoking behind the branch when she was attacked. Police say it appears to be a random act of violence
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A memorial near Calabridge Court is being expanded as long-term patrons try to cope with her death.
Stacie Stevenson told Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe that she has been a customer of the branch for more than 20 years.
“When I first met her, she was a teller and then she moved up to the office,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson said Long always showed her customers that she cared.
“She would talk to you, your family, her family, and also help you, especially with technology, handling phone calls — give me your phone and let me look at it and help me,” she said.
Long’s family is devastated by the tragedy. Her husband, who did not want to speak on camera, told Channel 9 he wanted to know why this happened.
Long’s loved ones have launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for funeral expenses and support her children.
Investigation status
The crime was captured on bank surveillance cameras.
The video shows the suspect getting out of a yellow Dodge Charger with black racing stripes, walking up to Long, shooting her twice in the back, then getting back in the car and leaving, according to court documents.
Police interviewed three witnesses who all reported hearing two gunshots and then seeing someone get into a yellow Dodge Charger and leave the scene. They also saw Long lying on the ground.
Smith was soon found at his parents’ home where he was living.
Smith’s criminal past
George Wise is the suspect’s uncle.
“My sister told me the police had surrounded the house and she needed me to be there,” Wise said.
Smith doesn’t have much of a criminal footprint in North Carolina. He has received two tickets: one for a traffic ticket and another for carrying a concealed weapon. He was not arrested in either case.
“He was never a guy who was banging on the block or out there,” Wise said. “He’s just a good guy, you know?”
A Bank of America spokesperson sent us the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our Bank of America teammates. Our condolences and condolences go out to her family and friends.
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