Girlfriend's Cheating Prank Ends in Gunfire, Police Say

20-year-old Charlotte man accused of shooting into car full of people, including his girlfriend, after prank gone wrong.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:23am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the aftermath of a shooting incident.The aftermath of a shooting incident that erupted from a prank gone wrong, exposing the potential for violence when relationships are strained.Charlotte Today

A 20-year-old man in Charlotte, North Carolina is accused of firing three shots into a car carrying his girlfriend and four of her friends after a prank where she pretended to be cheating on him. The incident occurred after the girlfriend and her friends decided to play the prank on the man, leading him to track them down, drive recklessly, and ultimately open fire on the vehicle at a red light.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of escalating pranks and the potential for violence when relationships are strained. It also raises concerns about access to firearms by convicted felons and the need for better intervention and support services to prevent such volatile situations from turning deadly.

The details

According to police, on the night of April 4, 20-year-old Shyhied Ivey fired three shots into a car carrying his girlfriend, Naveah Covington, and four of her friends. The incident occurred after Covington and her friends decided to prank Ivey by having a male friend call him and pretend Covington was cheating. After the prank, an angry Ivey tracked Covington's phone, found the car, and began driving recklessly and tailgating them. Ivey then tried to get the driver to stop by firing multiple shots into the air, and when the car stopped at a red light, he pulled up next to it and fired three shots into the vehicle before driving off.

  • The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on April 4, 2026.
  • Ivey was convicted of felony larceny of a motor vehicle in December 2023 and sentenced to 24 months probation.

The players

Shyhied Ivey

A 20-year-old Charlotte resident who is accused of firing shots into a car full of people, including his girlfriend, after a prank gone wrong. Ivey is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history.

Naveah Covington

Ivey's 20-year-old girlfriend who was in the car that was shot at, along with four of her friends, after they decided to play a prank on Ivey.

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What’s next

Ivey is facing several charges, including five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm into an occupied conveyance in operation, domestic violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the need for better intervention and support services to prevent volatile situations from escalating to violence, especially when firearms are involved. It also highlights the importance of responsible gun ownership and the dangers posed by convicted felons having access to firearms.