Man charged in CMS bus shooting enters plea in Charlotte federal court

Paris Lewis-Bynum admitted to having a firearm as a felon the day of the shooting, which prosecutors say he stole from a state trooper.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:37pm

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A man has pleaded guilty in a federal case related to the December 2024 shootout that sent bullets into a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus carrying 30 students. Paris Lewis-Bynum, 21, faces several pending state charges, including possession of firearm by felon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Federal prosecutors also charged him with possessing a firearm as a felon on the day of the shootout, which they say he had stolen from a North Carolina state trooper's patrol car.

Why it matters

The shooting incident raised concerns about gun violence and school safety in Charlotte, as some students were injured by broken glass even though none were hit by bullets. The case also highlights the issue of stolen firearms being used in crimes.

The details

According to court documents, the shootout broke out during a drug deal, with some bullets hitting the passing school bus and a nearby church. Lewis-Bynum pleaded guilty to the federal charge of possessing a firearm as a felon on the day of the shootout. His sentencing date in the federal gun conviction has not yet been set, while an administrative hearing on the other state charges has been rescheduled multiple times.

  • The shootout occurred on December 16, 2024.
  • Lewis-Bynum pleaded guilty to the federal charge on March 13, 2026.
  • The administrative hearing on the state charges has been rescheduled five times since April and is now set for July.

The players

Paris Lewis-Bynum

A 21-year-old man who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possessing a firearm as a felon on the day of the 2024 shootout. He also faces several pending state charges related to the incident.

North Carolina State Trooper

The owner of the firearm that Lewis-Bynum allegedly stole from a patrol car and used in the shootout.

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What’s next

The judge will set a sentencing date for Lewis-Bynum's federal gun conviction, and the administrative hearing on the state charges is scheduled for July.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the need for improved school safety measures, as well as the problem of stolen firearms being used in crimes. It also underscores the importance of coordinating state and federal prosecutions for complex criminal cases.