Man Allegedly Slashes Tires on 40 Cars in Charlotte Lot

A typical Saturday grocery run took a surreal turn for dozens of shoppers in Charlotte's Ballantyne neighborhood when, according to police, a man armed with knives methodically slashed tires on nearly 40 vehicles in a Publix^® parking lot.

A Startling Scene in Suburbia

Witnesses described a jarring scene. Around 5:30 p.m. on May 3, a 911 caller inside the store reportedly shouted, "He's got two knives!" according to WBTV, drawing immediate alarm from nearby customers.

Outside, the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Darren Anthony Ransom, allegedly moved through the lot puncturing tires — sometimes even while drivers were still in their cars.

According to police, Ransom was seen wielding two large kitchen knives and stabbing tires for nearly 20 minutes before officers arrived. He surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.

What Would You Do?

One shopper, Sean Gray, recounted realizing what was happening only after seeing his tire pressure plummet. "I decided just to sit there because I wasn't about to go after a person that was mentally not all there for whatever reason, with a knife," Gray told WSOC.

He later discovered his tire couldn't be patched, forcing him to purchase a new one for $100.

Others weren't so lucky. Police reports show that 42 people reported damage, with total repairs estimated at around $36,000.

Arrest and Charges

Ransom was arrested at a nearby restaurant shortly after the attacks, according to police. On May 5, he was charged with 39 counts of damage to personal property.

His court appearances have been anything but routine — Ransom refused to take a mugshot, give fingerprints, or appear virtually for his hearing. He's currently scheduled to return to court on Aug. 29.

Motive Remains Unclear

So far, no motive has been made public, and police have not indicated whether Ransom knew any of the victims. Investigators are continuing to gather details, and Publix has stated it is cooperating fully with authorities.

Adding to the chaos, another nearby business also reported damage, with security footage showing a man — allegedly Ransom — slashing the tires of two SUVs in front of the building.

Viral Footage and Community Frustration

Social media lit up as videos surfaced showing the suspect jabbing tires while weaving between cars. While some bystanders watched in shock, others stayed in their vehicles, uncertain of how to respond.

For many in the Ballantyne area, the incident has left lingering questions—about mental health, public safety, and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent such a bizarre outbreak of violence in a supermarket parking lot.

References: Video: Man slashes tires of 40 cars in Charlotte grocery store parking lot, reports say | Suspect charged with slashing tires of more than 30 cars at Charlotte Publix | Man arrested in Ballantyne after slashing tires on dozens of cars in Publix parking lot