Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
"Accidents"

Update From NC: Shooting a Cyclist in the Head Is Not Attempted Murder

A grand jury in Asheville, North Carolina has reduced the charge against a motorist who allegedly shot a cyclist in the head from attempted first-degree murder to felony assault.

diez.jpgCharles Diez

According
to reports, on July 26, Alan Simons was shot by Charles Diez after a
confontation along a busy road. The shooting took place in front of
Simons' wife and 3-year-old kid. Diez was reportedly angered that
Simons was riding a bike with his child seated behind him. Simons was
wearing his bike helmet at the time. Miraculously, the bullet missed
his head.

Wheras Diez originally faced up to 13 years in prison, felony assault carries a penalty of around two years. Reports the weekly Mountain Xpress:

Grand
juries deliberate in secret, and District Attorney Ron Moore submitted
both the assault and attempted-murder charges. He told Xpress that he doesn’t know why the grand jury rejected the murder charge.

We don't either, but we can guess

(h/t Cookster)

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

This Week In Livable Streets

Long Beach 2nd Street Bridge, Metro board meetings, NoHo-Pasadena BRT, SB79, LADOT speed camera program, and more

February 23, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

ICE, Playa del Rey, L.A.'s worst intersections, Huntington Library, SFV Metro construction, car-nage, and more

February 23, 2026

Metro Committee Approves Additional Early Construction Funding for Union Station Run-Through Tracks

Link US is a huge undertaking which includes building a new bridge over and along the 101 Freeway

February 20, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

ICE, Playa del Rey cyclist memorial, potholes, don't poop on buses PSA, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Venice Dell housing, car-nage, and more

February 20, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines

Metro D Line, speed cameras, housing, beach path, Little Tokyo, Big Blue Bus, SB79, South Pasadena, 6th St. Bridge, Pico Rivera, car-nage, and more

February 19, 2026
See all posts