Police: 3 arrested in 'senseless' killing of Charlotte mother

Three people have been arrested in connection to the deadly shooting of an innocent Charlotte mother of two who was caught in the middle of a shootout Thursday evening near NoDa, according to CMPD.

Tychicus Dobie, 22, Adonis Smith, 17, and Marquis Smith, 24, have all been charged with the murder of 27-year-old Kendal Ryan Crank, police said.

The shooting occurred at 5:17 p.m. Thursday in the 100 block of E. 28th Street. As officers arrived at the scene they found Crank in her vehicle just east of N. Tryon Street. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Related: Charlotte mother caught in shootout near NoDa killed, police say

Family tells FOX 46 Charlotte Crank was on her way to school Thursday when she was shot and killed.

They said she put family first and was going to school to be a nurse.

A small memorial has been set up for Kendal at the scene of the shooting. She was a graduate of Independence High, and was working to provide for her two children.

"I would say she was a flower, or an angel. Just pure love. That is all that shined through her. It's hard but she was the best," said her older brother, Robert Crank.

Kendal was the mother of a 3-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl. Her step-father says her son is too young to understand what happened to his mom.

Witnesses reported to police that several young men were shooting at each other near 28th Street at the time. Crank was not the intended target.

"No regard about who was on the other side. It could have been your son, your daughter, your niece, your grand kid. It's just senseless," said her step-father.

Anyone with further information on this case is asked to call CMPD at 704-432-TIPS. Residents can also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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