Two 18 Year Olds Charged After Burlington Shooting Incident
Two 18 year old men were arrested this month in connection with a mid November shooting on Huffman Mill Road, after a 19 year old was hospitalized with a gunshot wound. The arrests and ongoing investigation underscore concerns about youth violence, public safety, and access to care for victims in Alamance County.
Burlington police say two 18 year old men have been charged after a shooting that left a 19 year old wounded in mid November. Officers responded around 6:20 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the 700 block of Huffman Mill Road, where they found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and is expected to make a full recovery, police reported.
Detectives say the shooting involved four people, and two of those individuals have been identified and arrested. Michael Olmos, 18, was arrested on November 10. Dantrell Bellanger, 18, was arrested on November 13. Both men are being held at the Alamance County Jail and face multiple charges including conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and discharging a weapon into an occupied moving vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to identify and locate the remaining suspects.
The incident is the latest in a string of youth involved shootings across parts of the state that has raised alarm among residents and local officials. For neighbors on Huffman Mill Road the immediate concern is safety in public spaces and on local streets, particularly during evening hours when many families and young people are commuting. The presence of multiple suspects and the allegation of robbery suggest the event may have broader social roots related to economic strain and conflicts among young people.
From a public health perspective, gun violence has cascading effects on community wellbeing. Trauma to victims extends beyond physical injury to include long term mental health needs for survivors and witnesses. Local hospitals and emergency services must balance acute care needs while supporting follow up services such as counseling and rehabilitation. For low income residents and people without stable access to care, those needs can be harder to meet, reinforcing disparities in recovery and resilience.
The criminal charges reflect the immediate legal response, but community advocates say a fuller approach requires investment in prevention programs, youth outreach, and violence interruption efforts that address underlying causes. Policies that expand access to mental health care, job opportunities, and safe after school spaces are often cited by public health experts as key components in reducing youth violence.
Burlington police are asking anyone with information to come forward. People who can help the investigation are asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at 336 229 3500 or Alamance County Wide Crimestoppers at 336 229 7100. As the case moves through the legal system, residents and local leaders will be watching how public safety strategies and support services respond to the needs of victims and the broader community.
