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Tag: Jordan Kudisch

  • DNA breakthrough cracks 35-year-old murder cold case

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 35-year-old murder case in Charlotte is no longer considered cold after investigators announced an arrest made possible by advances in DNA technology that did not exist decades ago.

    In the 1990 killing of Kim Thomas Friedland, investigators had identified a suspect early on but lacked the forensic evidence to file charges. That changed with the help of new tools now available to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s crime lab.

    What You Need To Know

    • An arrest has been made in the 1990 killing of Kim Thomas Friedland 

    • Investigators used probabilistic genotyping software to analyze degraded DNA

    • CMPD says advances in forensic science allow testing of smaller DNA samples

    • The suspect, Marion Gales, faces a first-degree murder charge and is due in court March 13



    Matthew Mathis, director of the CMPD Crime Laboratory, said forensic science has evolved significantly over the past two decades.

    “There have been significant changes in forensics in the last 18 years,” Mathis said.

    Mathis has led the lab since 2008. During that time, he said improvements in DNA testing have transformed what investigators can analyze.

    “Now we have the capability of developing a DNA profile from very, very small amounts of DNA,” he said.

    That includes DNA not visible to the human eye.

    “Skin cells that are left behind when an individual touches an item for instance, or even degraded, DNA from cold cases,” Mathis said.

     

    The breakthrough in Friedland’s case came through probabilistic genotyping software, a forensic tool that uses mathematical algorithms and biological modeling to analyze complex or degraded DNA samples.

    CMPD said Marion Gales was taken into custody after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. Investigators had considered Gales a primary suspect early in the investigation, but at the time, there was not enough forensic evidence to formally charge him.

    During a news conference last week, CMPD credited the crime lab’s work in moving the case forward.

    “They do this work because they believe in the work. They do this work because they believe in bringing justice to victims, to victims’ families, no matter how long ago the incident occurred,” CMPD Deputy Chief Ryan Butler said.

    Mathis said newer tools allow scientists to revisit evidence once thought unusable.

    “We’re now able to develop profiles from evidence that we couldn’t develop profiles from 20 years ago,” Mathis said.

    That is especially important in cold cases, where evidence may be limited or degraded.

    “Sometimes cold case evidence is degraded. Sometimes there’s very small amounts, sometimes it’s been previously tested and there may not be a lot of evidence left to test. So that’s part of the entire testing process is just evaluating the evidence and determining what type of technology we can use, to get the answer that we need from that evidence,” Mathis said.

    The testing process can take time and may require multiple rounds of analysis. In some cases, even advanced technology does not yield enough DNA to find a match. But when it does, Mathis said the impact is significant.

    “Being able to provide the detectives and the court system with an answer to help them resolve a case, as this is an amazing feeling. It’s very rewarding,” he said.

    CMPD officials said rapid DNA testing can return preliminary results in as little as 90 minutes, though additional analysis is required before results are presented in court.

    Gales is facing a first-degree murder charge and is expected back in court March 13.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Through the freeze: Kannapolis store stays open in historic snow

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    KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Icy roads. Snow plows. Closed businesses. It’s a frozen sight Kannapolis hasn’t seen since 2004.

    Despite the record-breaking snow, one supermarket stayed open.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kannapolis experienced a historic snowfall not seen since 2004

    • Many businesses closed, but the Cancun Supermarket remained open

    • Owner Esther Carbajal drove two hours from Charlotte to keep the store running at the peak of the snow

    • Imported goods and high demand made it difficult to keep shelves stocked


    Esther Carbajal, owner of Cancun Supermarket, says there’s a reason she wouldn’t close.

    “I know they need this kind of store open because we sell a lot for food for, a lot of things,” she said. “They need it.”

    Carbajal lives in Charlotte and travels to Kannapolis each day. When the snow was at its peak Saturday, her normal 30-minute commute turned into two hours.

    “I live in Charlotte, but I come here every day last week, too, and this week,” she said. “It’s been hard but you have to do it.”

    As one of the few places open, she says it’s been difficult to keep shelves stocked. Limes and peppers ran low. Some bins sat empty.

    Much of the store’s food is imported from Mexico, adding another layer of uncertainty during winter weather disruptions.

    “The bread, you see? Every day we stock, but the people take,” she said. “Tortillas stocked every day.”

    For Carbajal, staying open isn’t just about business. It’s about service.

    “So happy. I stay here for the people. I don’t know, I never think about it. But when I stay here, I do everything for everybody,” she said.

    While much of Kannapolis waited for roads to thaw, one set of doors remained open, lights on, register ringing and shelves refilled as quickly as they emptied, serving a community determined to weather the storm together.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • NASCAR community mourns Greg Biffle and family at memorial in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hundreds in the NASCAR community gathered for a memorial service at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum on Friday for former driver Greg Biffle, his family and others who were killed in a plane crash last month. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Hundreds from the NASCAR community gathered at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum for a memorial service honoring former driver Greg Biffle, his family, and others killed in a plane crash last month

    • Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children were among the seven victims

    • Garrett Mitchell, a close friend, spoke at the service, urging people to “Be Like Biff” by taking opportunities and helping others

    • The crash left the NASCAR community shaken, adding to a difficult offseason


    Biffle was among seven killed along with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, when the plane crashed as it returned to the airport in Statesville, North Carolina, according to authorities. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

    A memorial song opened the ceremony before speakers began to reflect on the victims.

    “We remember and celebrate Dennis, Jack, Craig, Emma, Ryder, Christina and Greg. What makes it meaningful is that we will all share together. Laughter and tears,” said Billy Mauldin, chaplain for Motor Racing Outreach.

    Driver/influencer Garrett Mitchell, known as “Cleetus McFarland” in his YouTube videos and a close friend of Biffle’s, was among those who spoke at the service.

    You can watch the service here:


    “We have all been saying, ‘Be Like Biff,’ since we lost our hero,” said Mitchell, who befriended Biffle later in his life. “What does that mean? That means to take opportunities when you see them. Whether you are taking opportunity to pass somebody on the track or getting off your couch to chase a dream you have only been talking about for the past five years.

    “It means showing up for your friends and family. It means using your heart to make the world a better place. It means being generous whenever you can and helping other humans when they’re down. That is what it means to be like Biff,” Mitchell added.

    Biffle, who was 55, was selected by NASCAR as one of its top 75 drivers in history, was a Hall of Fame nominee for the stock car series and drove for 18 years at the top of the sport.

    He drew headlines last year for his tireless humanitarian efforts as a helicopter pilot supplying aid in the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene.

    Biffle’s niece, Jordyn Biffle, told stories about Ryder’s hero being his father, Emma’s laughter and Cristina’s loving nature.

    She said the Biffle family “lived fully, loved deeply and gave freely.”

    “Their lives remind us that what matters isn’t how long we are here, but how we use the time we are given and how fiercely we love while we are here,” Biffle added. “And while this loss is devastating beyond words, their impact remains etched into all of us that were lucky enough to have known them, loved them and be changed by them.”

    Speakers also painted a fuller picture of Biffle beyond the racetrack… recalling his rebellious younger years, including a burnout in front of his high school that led to his expulsion and even having his car impounded by his own father.

    In the parking lot outside of the coliseum, fans paused to peer inside three racecars Biffle drove during his career.

    Inside, the pictures of the seven who lost their lives where shown on a videoboard above the makeshift platform in the center of the covered hockey rink. There were seven wreaths on the stage where Mitchell, Biffle and former drivers Jeff Burton and Phil Parsons addressed the crowd.

    Dylan Zirkle, 28, of Archdale, North Carolina, worked one year for Biffle at Roush Racing as a pit support employee while he was in high school.

    He said Biffle made a lasting impact on him, and felt he needed to attend.

    “Greg was always a really good guy and I enjoyed being around him,” Zirkle said. “You could always talk to him at anytime and he was just a real person. You could talk to him about anything.”

    Chaplain Billy Mauldin speaks during the NASCAR Plane Crash Memorial memorial in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

    Back home, Zirkle still has model racing trucks in his gameroom autographed by Biffle that he cherishes.

    Zirkle said he didn’t believe the news of the crash when he heard it.

    “It still doesn’t feel real,” Zircle said. “I was watching some of his YouTube videos the other night and it just doesn’t seem real at all.”

    Tanner Roberts and Jassamin Green made the four-hour trek from Wilmington, North Carolina, with their 7-year-old son Bentley after hearing about the memorial.

    “He was a good racecar driver and I enjoyed him,” Roberts said. “And he was a good person. I grew up watching him and Dale Earnhardt. Them two were my favorites. They were good people and they loved to race.”

    The Cessna C550 carrying the Biffle family and the others erupted in flames when it hit the ground shortly after it had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about an hour’s drive north of Charlotte.

    The plane crashed while trying to return and land, authorities said.

    The crash a week before Christmas left the NASCAR community shaken and was another blow in a long offseason. Ten days later, on the 52nd wedding anniversary of Denny Hamlin’s parents, the house the future Hall of Famer built to repay them for their years of sacrifice burned down. His father, Dennis, was killed, and Mary Lou Hamlin was rushed to a hospital burn unit.

    Sheriff’s deputies are also investigating an alleged break-in and theft last week at Biffle’s home in Mooresville that netted $30,000 in cash, some guns and memorabilia.

    As part of the public tribute, Mitchell planned to do a burnout later Friday near Biffle’s marker along the North Carolina Auto Racing Walk of Fame in Mooresville.

    The victims’ families requested that, in lieu of flowers, people consider donating to charities that held special meaning to those lost in the crash, including the Davidson Day Fund, the American Red Cross, Lake Norman Humane and Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Jordan Kudisch, Associated Press

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  • Petition to remove Mecklenburg County sheriff dismissed

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A petition to remove Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden was dismissed Thursday morning.

    Judge R. Stuart Albright said the removal petition was filed without the approval of the county attorney or district attorney.

    During the hearing, D.A. Spencer Merriweather was asked if he approved of the petition, and he responded “no.”

    The same response was given from county attorney, Tyrone Wade.

    The SBI investigation into McFadden’s office is still ongoing, which means this could resurface down the line. In the complaint, statements accuse the sheriff of corruption, extortion, neglect of his duties and other concerns, and as a result, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather has called on the SBI to investigate those claims.

    “I feel great. It’s another day on the job,” McFadden said when asked how he felt about the hearing.

    McFadden’s attorney told the judge that it would create chaos if disgruntled employees could file a petition without authorization from the D.A. or county attorney.

    “Petitions would be filed all the time,” she warned. 

    Representative Carla Cunningham from the 106th District was one of the people listed on the petition, and she said she believes the SBI investigation could lead to the possbility of removal for the sheriff. 

    “I appreciate the court’s time today, though the dismissal does not change anything,” Cunningham said. “The SBI investigation will continue, and the DA will have an opportunity to seek Mcfadden’s removal based on the investigation. This is now in the courts hands, and I am focused on my reelection campaign to serve the 106th District in the North Carolina General Assembly.”

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • More than a meal: Charlotte nonprofit spreads hope on Christmas Day

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Christmas Day is often about tradition, family and celebration. But for many in Charlotte, it was also about community and compassion.

    Block Love Charlotte spent the holiday serving hot meals and offering support to people experiencing homelessness, turning a day that can be especially difficult into one filled with warmth and hope.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Block Love Charlotte served hot meals on Christmas Day to people experiencing homelessness across the city

    •  Volunteers also handed out toys, clothing, toiletries and books

    •  Founder Deborah Phillips says Christmas can be especially hard for families unsure where their next meal or paycheck will come from

    • Organizers plan to continue the tradition into the next Christmas


    The effort was marked by smiles, laughter and even a familiar holiday sound — the laugh of the Abominable Snowman — as volunteers worked to create a festive atmosphere for those they served.

    “It’s been big, like we’ve been crying literally all morning, everybody saying thank you,” said Deborah Phillips, founder of Block Love Charlotte.

    Volunteers spent the day handing out meals, toiletries, clothing and toys, focusing not just on providing necessities but on making people feel seen and valued during the holidays.

    “There’s nothing like waking up on a Christmas morning in, and you’re in a motel room. You don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from, you don’t know how you’re going to get the kids gifts, and you may not even know where your next meal is coming from,” Phillips said. “So we wanted to change all of that. Let’s give people their mind, give their minds some ease in knowing that somebody is going to show up today. So that’s why we do it.”

    For some volunteers, the event marked the start of a new holiday tradition.

    “We’ve supported monetarily. We’ve supported with food. And this was just an awesome time for us, to support in person and experience the reason for Christmas, and sharing gifts and just pouring out and reflecting God’s love to the community,” said volunteer Cindy Beasley.

    Beasley and her husband worked the toy table, helping children pick out gifts, something she says no family should have to go without during the holidays.

    “We’re able to do that, so why shouldn’t everybody be able to do that? And as a parent or grandparent, it’s just so special to be able to to give,” she said.

    Phillips said the children are often the most impacted by the outreach.

    “But the kids the most, like that toy table. Thank you all for everybody that donated. But it’s really big. This is bigger than Santa Claus,” she said.

    In addition to meals and toys, volunteers handed out clothing, toiletries and books. Organizers say the goal is simple — to show up when people need it most.

    Block Love Charlotte plans to continue the tradition next Christmas, continuing its mission to bring comfort and care to the community during the holiday season.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • 3 women charged in death of 6-year-old after years of abuse

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Court records describe a 6-year-old forced to live in a dog crate, weighing 27 pounds and with severe injuries when the child was found dead in a West Charlotte home.

    Susan Robinson, 61, and Tonya McKnight, 51, were arrested in connection with the case after the child was found over the weekend at a home off Gwynne Hill Road, according to arrest warrants and court documents filed in Mecklenburg County.

    Robinson’s niece, Tery’n McKnight, 22, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.   

    What You Need To Know

    • A 6-year-old was found dead at a West Charlotte home, where court records say the child was forced to live in a dog crate, weighed 27 pounds and showed signs of prolonged abuse 

    • Three women — Susan Robinson, Tonya McKnight and Tery’n McKnight — have been arrested and each charged with felony child abuse resulting in serious physical injury and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse

    •  Authorities say the abuse was known and not stopped



    Investigators say the child suffered severe abuse over an extended period of time. Court records allege the child had multiple rashes on the genital area and buttocks caused by prolonged exposure to both human and animal feces. Authorities also documented broken bones, healed ligature marks and burns.

    According to investigators, Robinson and Tonya McKnight knew the child was being taped, restrained and denied food but failed to intervene. Robinson told police she witnessed the child being punished for stealing food, records state.

    Investigators say four other children were also living in the home.

    Spectrum News 1 crews who visited the property observed visible damage to the home, trash scattered across the yard and children’s toys outside. Mail overflowed from the mailbox, and several vehicles were parked on the property. Neighbors declined to speak on camera, though one told reporters he frequently heard a child crying but did not personally know the residents.

    Robinson, Tonya McKnight and Tery’n McKnight are each charged with one count of felony child abuse resulting in serious physical injury and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse, police said. Court records show Tonya McKnight was issued a $2 million secured bond.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Chief Estella Patterson’s plan to rebuild trust and safety in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One week after being sworn in as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s first female chief, Estella Patterson says her focus is on rebuilding trust, reducing violent crime and filling hundreds of officer vacancies.

    What You Need To Know

    • Spectrum News 1 sat down with Estella Patterson, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s new chief

    • “I served in the military for nine years. Growing up, I liked to babysit and serve others and help. That’s always been the person who I am,” she said

    • The department is short nearly 200 officers, a gap Patterson says affects public safety and officer wellness

    • When asked what success looks like after her first year in office, Patterson said community trust will be key

    • Patterson said increasing officer visibility is closely tied to residents feeling safer across Charlotte



    Patterson returned to Charlotte after serving as police chief in Raleigh, where the department saw two consecutive years of declining violent crime and a significant reduction in staffing shortages.

    “When the opportunity presented itself to come back home, it was a no-brainer for me. When Chief Jennings announced his retirement, I said, wow, it would be nice to be able to come back,” she said.

    Patterson began her career with CMPD in 1996 as a recruit and later rose to deputy chief. She said service has always guided her career.

    “I served in the military for nine years. Growing up, I liked to babysit and serve others and help. That’s always been the person who I am,” she said.

    The department is short nearly 200 officers, a gap Patterson says affects both public safety and officer wellness.

    “Right now, we’re down significant number of officers, almost 200 officers,” she said. “That is difficult to be able to do the work of serving the community adequately. So we really want to work to to fill those gaps, make sure that we fill those vacancies as much as possible.” 

    Patterson said low staffing affects morale and leads to burnout.

    “When you’re short like that, your employees are telling you we’re tired or running from call to call. We can’t take adequate vacation time. And because wellness is so important to me, it is crucial that we get our staffing levels to where we have that flexibility to be able to do things so people can take time off,” she said.

    Addressing violent crime is another priority, particularly following recent stabbings on Charlotte’s light rail system. While CMPD reports violent crime is down overall, Patterson said the department must remain proactive.

    “It’s so unfortunate those incidents that happen and, you know, coming in and seeing that, it is disturbing to see, but also to it is important that we’re taking proactive steps. And I feel that we’re working very closely with CATS to do that,” she said, referring to the Charlotte Area Transit System. “One of the things I really want to work on as a department is bringing all our partners in. We can’t do this work in silos.”

    Patterson emphasized that isolated incidents should not discourage residents from using public transportation.

    “I mean, we have not seen where it’s every time you get on the light rail, there’s an incident or every time you’re on a CATS bus kind of thing,” she said. “I think we just have to put it in perspective.”

    When asked what success looks like after her first year in office, Patterson said community trust will be key.

    “One, that we rebuilt trust with the community, so that they can feel safe,” she said. “That will be really important.”

    Patterson added that increasing officer visibility is closely tied to residents feeling safer across Charlotte.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Second victim dies after Thursday’s Charlotte home invasion, kidnapping

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    A second person has died, police say, after a home invasion and kidnapping Thursday afternoon in north Charlotte.

    Both victims’ identities were made public over the weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • Two people were found shot at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue around 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23

    • One victim, Justin Carlton, died shortly after being taken to the hospital. Police said the second victim, Shabazz Grant, died Sunday

    • The suspect in the shooting and a connected kidnapping, according to CMPD, died in a shootout with police

    Justin Carlton, 38, and Shabazz Grant, 34, were found shot around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue on Oct. 23, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

    Both victims were taken to the hospital, but Carlton died from injuries a short time later.

    Grant died from his injuries on Sunday, police said in a release.

    The shooting, according to police, was connected to a kidnapping reported in the same area.

    Officials said Joseph Andrade, 28, the suspect in the shooting, forced his way into a home, kidnapped a woman and drove away with her.

    Police began chasing Andrade’s vehicle after seeing him driving with the woman in the passenger seat. During the chase, police said Andrade started shooting at police before crashing at the intersection of Freedom and Morehead.

    Andrade then jumped out of the car, police said, and started a foot chase with officers.

    “He approached additional officers on Morehead Street where he pointed a firearm at at least one of the officers and the officers then returned fire,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said in a video statement posted to X Thursday evening.

    Andrade died at the scene, and police said a gun was recovered.

    None of the officers were injured, Jennings said. The woman was also found uninjured near the area of the crash.

    The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting, which is standard practice in a police shooting.

    CMPD will handle the investigation of the assault with a deadly weapon, the homicide and the kidnapping, Jennings said.

    “We’re still piecing a lot of different things together, so I can’t really say what the motive was for the home invasion, what the motive was for the shooting in the homicide and the assault with a deadly weapon at this point,” Jennings said Thursday evening. “So we’re going to try to work through that and piece it together,”

    “Lives were lost, but we have a lot of lives that were saved because of officers’ response time,” he said. 

     

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    Jordan Kudisch, Charles Duncan, Justin Pryor

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  • Suspected kidnapper killed in shootout with Charlotte police, officials say

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    A suspect in a home invasion and kidnapping is dead after a chase and shootout with police, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. 

    Shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, officials said police officers went to a shots fired call in north Charlotte at the intersection of Hoskins Road and Black Avenue and found two people shot. Both were taken to the hospital and one died, police said. 

    Officials said the shooting suspect forced his way into a home, kidnapped a resident and made them drive him from the scene. Police found the car and started chasing the suspect, officials said. The suspect started shooting at police during the chase, police said. 

    “After a short pursuit, the suspect exited the vehicle and continued to shoot in the direction of CMPD officers,” according to police. Officers shot back and hit the suspect, who died at the scene.

    “Multiple CMPD vehicles were shot into during this incident,” police said in a news release. “Neither the kidnapped victim nor any officers were injured during this incident.”

    Police said they found a gun at the scene. The State Bureau of Investigations is investigating the shooting, which is standard practice in a police shooting.

    “We’re still piecing a lot of different things together, so I can’t really say what the motive was for the home invasion? What the motive was for the shooting in the homicide and the assault with a deadly weapon at this point. So we’re going to try to work through that and piece it together,” CMPD Chief Johnning Jennings said in a news conference Thursday evening. 

    “Lives were lost, but we have a lot of lives that were saved because of officers’ response time,” he said. 

     

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    Jordan Kudisch, Charles Duncan

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  • Mecklenburg sheriff and ICE meet to air frustrations and address new law

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met face to face Friday to discuss tensions over a new state law that requires sheriff’s offices to hold detainees for an additional 48 hours to allow ICE to take custody.

    What You Need To Know

    • For the first time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met to address tensions

    • The hourlong meeting also discussed a new state law that requires sheriff’s offices to hold detainees for an additional 48 hours to allow ICE to take custody

    • Both agencies say the meeting was productive

    • The sheriff said there are no plans for another meeting with ICE


    In February, Spectrum News 1 reported that McFadden had released a detainee without ICE’s knowledge, one in a string of disputed incidents that have fueled conflict between local and federal authorities.

    McFadden and ICE officials say Friday’s meeting has helped clarify procedures.

    From McFadden’s perspective, the conversation was productive.

    In a statement, ICE agreed.

    “ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations met with Sheriff McFadden and his staff today and engaged in a very productive meeting. We greatly value the opportunity to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to achieve our shared goals of safety and security of our communities and our officers,” the agency said.

    During the hourlong meeting, McFadden presented ICE with a letter outlining plans for pickup, direct contacts and expectations for arrests — issues both sides say they’ve struggled to coordinate in the past.

    The meeting was the result of a letter sent on behalf of the sheriff Oct. 1, asking ICE for clearer collaboration under the new state law, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, which requires sheriffs to hold detainees for an extra 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so ICE can take them into custody.

    In recent months, McFadden has said ICE failed to respond to pickup requests, forcing his office to release detainees. ICE, however, has accused McFadden’s office of refusing to cooperate with detainer requests.

    The two agencies agreed on points of contact for coordinating courthouse arrests and pickups.

    “So we gave them a safe process and procedures,” McFadden said. “If they have to operate inside the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds, because they do have that jurisdiction to do that. We just want them to do it in a safe manner for both them and the general public.”

    McFadden said both sides needed to “air out frustrations” and work toward a more transparent system.

    “We have the facility that they will have to come to,” he said. “We have the facility they have to remove these people from. So we want to make that safe and secure and also without problems. And so today in having that discussion, hopefully they understand us and we understand their needs.”

    The sheriff said there are no plans at this time for another meeting with ICE.

    National pressure, local tension

    The meeting comes amid growing pressure from the Trump administration to expand deportation operations and enlist local law enforcement agencies as partners. ICE has recently proposed loosening detention standards so more county jails can hold immigrants awaiting removal.

    At the same time, Congress approved a funding package that includes billions for ICE to expand detention capacity and deportation efforts.

    Across the country, sheriffs have become central players in the debate over cooperation with ICE. While immigration detainers are nonbinding requests under federal law, North Carolina’s new legislation now mandates local compliance for up to 48 hours. Supporters say the law prevents the release of potentially dangerous individuals, while critics say it blurs the line between local policing and federal enforcement.

    In Mecklenburg County, McFadden has accused ICE of ignoring communication attempts and failing to pick up detainees, while ICE maintains that his office continues to disregard lawful detainer requests. The sheriff has argued that only detainers supported by a judge’s order are legally valid.

    As state, local and federal agencies continue to navigate overlapping authority, Mecklenburg County remains at the center of the debate over immigration enforcement in North Carolina.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • N.C. artist sells paintings to cover funeral costs for Southport victims

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — From the outside, it looks like an ordinary shed.

    Inside, it’s where artist Katie Lewis finds peace and purpose.

    What You Need To Know

    • Artist Katie Lewis is selling her artwork to help cover funeral costs for the Southport shooting victims

    • Lewis felt compelled to help after losing her dad a month prior to the shooting

    • 300 prints of her portrait at the American Fish Company have already sold

    • All of the proceeds from the artwork will be split among all three affected families, Lewis said


    “This is my art studio,” Lewis said.

    She has always turned to creativity as an outlet.

    “Always like to make stuff with my hands, you know, like since I was a kid. And I think it’s the idea of doing something and kind of being locked in on it,” Lewis said. “I can forget about the world here.”

    As a child, she reached for a paintbrush. As she got older, she found inspiration anywhere she could.

    “Whenever I started trying to get better at painting, I watched, like, YouTube videos. So I painted along with Bob Ross. I really like him,” she said with a laugh.

    Like Ross, Lewis gravitated toward watercolors, landscapes, buildings, snapshots of serenity. One of her paintings captures the American Fish Company in Southport.

    Katie Lewis is donating proceeds from her Southport painting to families of the shooting victims. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    “My inspiration behind the painting was the sounds of the peacefulness that’s there. You know, I feel like with a lot of my paintings, that’s kind of what stems from like the feelings you get at certain places,” Lewis said.

    At the time, she couldn’t have known how much that painting would come to mean.

    “I feel like it captures the peace that maybe not many people find there right now,” Lewis said.

    Saturday night, a gunman opened fire on the Southport restaurant from a nearby boat, killing three and wounding five others.

    “I think especially for the people that were there during it and, you know, the families and stuff, I think that it may never feel like that. And it’s really sad, you know, because somebody can take that like precious place and turn it into something that it isn’t,” Lewis said.

    She wanted to help.

    “I couldn’t help the families in that way, but with the help of the community buying artwork, I’m able to give back,” she said.

    Lewis started selling prints of her American Fish Company portrait, donating all proceeds to the victims’ funeral costs. That mission hits close to home.

    “My dad passed away like less than a month ago and, on top of like, the emotion that comes from losing family members, you then have the payments for everything that comes after. And I wanted to try to help kind of a little bit with what I could,” Lewis said.

    Her own grief pushed her to act.

    “I think maybe if that had happened, no, it’s not the same situation, but losing someone hadn’t have happened to me like less than a month ago, I may, maybe not, I may have not been so quick to want to help. But yeah, it felt very personal. And I love Southport, you know, I love going there. I go there after work. Sometimes I just go there and walk, and I wanted to try to give back,” Lewis said.

    Lewis has already sold out of her first run of prints. She is currently opening up 100 more prints for purchase after the high demand.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Community honors those killed, injured after Southport restaurant shooting

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A community on North Carolina’s coast is mourning and seeking answers after a shooting took the lives of three people over the weekend and injured five others.

    What You Need To Know

    • The shooting happened Saturday night at the American Fish Company

    • Authorities said three people were killed, and five others were injured. Their names have not yet been released

    • The suspect, Nigel Edge, was arrested shortly after the shooting and is facing multiple charges

    • Officials say Edge is a former combat veteran who was injured in the line of duty and is believed to suffer from PTSD


    Flowers, cards and more placed outside the American Fish Company Monday morning in honor of those killed and wounded by a gunman Saturday night. (Spectrum News 1/Patrick Thomas)

    The community has been placing flowers, signs and letters outside of the American Fish Company on Yacht Basin Drive in Southport, North Carolina, since the shooting Saturday night.

    Members of the tight-knit coastal community say this type of violence is not normal for the area. They describe the town as quiet, with little to no violence, and say this type of thing is almost unbelievable.

    “In the face of such darkness, we will not let hate or despair win. We will come together to support one another. We will not let this define Southport,” the city’s police chief, Todd Coring, said in a statement.

    The community held a vigil Sunday night. Whitney Johnson was in attendance and said she was in the restaurant roughly 30 minutes before the shooting happened.

    “We’re so thankful that we got out OK, but just devastated for the people that were injured and their families and people that were killed. It’s just, you know, a senseless act and just terrible and heartbreaking for such a small coastal town,” Johnson said.


     

    Authorities said the shooting was a “highly premeditated” attack carried out by 40-year-old Nigel Edge, of Oak Island. Edge piloted a small boat close to shore, which was lined with bars and restaurants, investigators said, and fired into a crowd at the American Fish Company.

    Coring said in a press conference Sunday that the location was “targeted,” but did not elaborate.

    After the shooting, Edge sped away in his boat, officials said, but was spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard crew trying to pull his boat from the water at an Oak Island public ramp and taken into custody.

    Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, officials said. Coring said additional charges could be added.

    The weapon used was an assault rifle, although Coring didn’t specify what kind.

    “We understand this suspect identifies as a combat veteran. He self-identifies. Injured in the line of duty is what he’s saying, he suffers from PTSD,” Coring said, referring to post-traumatic stress disorder.


     

    Edge is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, District Attorney Jon David said. He is being held without bond.

    Among the five people hospitalized with injuries, at least one “is now clinging for their life,” David said. Some of the victims were vacationers from out of town.

    Oak Island Police Chief Charlie Morris said the suspect was known to police as someone “who frequently hung out on our pier,” and that he had filed lawsuits against the town and police department over the last few years. He did not elaborate.

    The district attorney said Edge had had “minor contacts” with police in the past “but nothing significant in his past which would give us any indication that he was capable of such horror.”

    It was not immediately known whether Edge has an attorney to speak on his behalf. No attorney was listed on court documents. A call to Legal Aid services in Brunswick County went unanswered Sunday.

    Investigators from multiple agencies — including the State Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard — remained on the water and at the scene Sunday collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

    Officials did not immediately release the names of the victims.

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  • Southport shooter’s hearing reveals disturbing details

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    SOUTHPORT, N.C. — For the first time, the man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting in Southport appeared before a judge Monday.

    Authorities say Nigel Max Edge confessed to killing three people and injuring five others during a weekend attack. Investigators also revealed in court that the shooting was premeditated.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nigel Edge, the man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting in Southport, appeared before a judge Monday

    • According to prosecutors, Edge initially planned the assault for Friday

    • Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill

    • Edge is being held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for October 13


    According to prosecutors, Edge initially planned the assault for Friday. They said he anchored his boat in the area and camped out for hours, but left after another boater spotted him. He returned the next day, waiting in the same location before opening fire.

    On Monday, Edge appeared virtually in court dressed in a blue jumpsuit and sitting in a wheelchair. Cameras were not allowed inside the hearing, but family members, media and community members filled the room. Some shed tears as charges were read, while Edge showed no visible reaction.

    David Canup, who has lived in Southport for more than two decades, said the violence left him shaken.

    “About 24 years of living here I’ve never seen that happen. Never heard of it happening and honestly, never expected to happen,” Canup said.

    He said seeing Edge in person was difficult.

    “It makes me sick to my stomach, you know, just seeing him in the courtroom, you know, face to face like that, it really made me sick to my stomach,” Canup said.

    Canup recalled hearing the gunfire Saturday night and realizing something was terribly wrong.

    “I was sitting there at Oliver’s [on the Cape Fear restaurant], and I heard this loud commotion and I see people, you know, panicking. And I’m like, what in the world was that? And then I see all the first responders showing up, and I’m like, something just happened down there. It was definitely a lot of emotions going on,” he said.

    Edge is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Prosecutors said the state is considering seeking the death penalty if he is convicted.

    “I know it’s a touchy thing and a lot of people don’t want to talk about that. But all I can say about that is I hope justice is served for the families, for the friends and for the co-workers. But I do got to say, you know, whatever the outcome is, justice needs to be served,” Canup said.

    Prosecutors also revealed investigators found several firearms on Edge’s boat, suggesting the violence could have been worse had law enforcement not intervened.

    Edge is being held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for October 13. The names of the victims have not been released.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Stein marks Hurricane Helene recovery, urges more federal aid

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sounds of construction continue to echo through the mountains of western North Carolina, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gov. Josh Stein visited western North Carolina on Friday, nearly one  year since Helene 

    • The storm’s destruction forced more than 1,400 road closures

    • The governor highlighted progress across the state, pointing out that 97% of all state-maintained roads closed by Helene are now back open

    • Stein is pressing Congress for more aid


    “That storm’s devastation turned millions of people’s lives upside down,” Gov. Josh Stein said.

    Helene’s destruction forced more than 1,400 road closures. Stein noted the storm left behind enough debris to fill 5,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

    “Folks became totally disconnected. No communications, no water, no electricity, no means to get from one place to the other,” he said.

    Some of the most severe damage was in the Pigeon River Gorge and along Interstate 40.

    Crews work to repair western North Carolina roads nearly a year after Helene caused devastating flooding. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    On March 1, crews reopened a four-mile stretch with a lane in each direction.

    “I’m glad we have this sound of traffic through this press conference, because it means people can get from North Carolina to Tennessee and places beyond,” Stein said.

    The governor highlighted progress across the state, pointing out that almost all state-maintained roads closed by Helene are now back open. “Just a year later, 97% of all state-maintained roads closed by Helene have been reopened,” Stein said to applause.

    But Stein also issued a warning — the money secured so far isn’t enough.

    “I’m grateful for every federal dollar that the state has received. But to be frank, it isn’t enough. The average federal contribution to a state after a major storm as a percentage of the total damage is about 50%. Today, North Carolina has received 11%,” he said.

    Stein is pressing Congress for more aid.

    “I am calling on Congress to pass a new $13.5 billion appropriation to send more support our way. The people of western North Carolina deserve their fair share,” he said.

     

    Gov. Josh Stein visits western North Carolina on Friday, almost a year since Helene struck. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

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  • Charlotte honors Iryna Zarutska at Vigil

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of people stood shoulder to shoulder Monday night in South End Charlotte, honoring the life of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska.

    Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was killed last month while riding Charlotte’s light rail system. Her death has fueled demands for safer transit and mental health reform, both in North Carolina and across the nation.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hundreds of people stood shoulder to shoulder Monday night in South End Charlotte honoring Iryna Zarutska

    • The event was organized by the Mecklenburg County GOP

    • One woman brought her daughter’s wedding flowers, explaining it’s an experience Zarutska would never get after her life was cut short

    • Zarutska’s memorial at the East West light rail station continues to grow


    At the vigil, her name echoed through the streets as prayers were said and candles lit. The event was organized by the Mecklenburg County GOP.

    (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

    One speaker told the crowd, “This tragic loss deeply touches every heart and every soul here, present and even wider. And it will take time for these wounds to begin to heal.”

    Strangers gathered together, clutching roses and candles. Among them was Charlotte resident Kimberly Fahey.

    “This has impacted not just the Charlotte area, but the entire world,” Fahey said.

    Fahey carried flowers from her daughter’s wedding, placing them at the site as a symbol of the moments Zarutska will never experience.

    “My daughter just got married on Saturday, and I bring these flowers that were from her wedding because I read it will never have a wedding, and she will never see beautiful flowers like this again and it’s tragic.”

    For Fahey, the vigil was a reminder of the strength of community.

    “And I was not going to miss it,” she said. “So, yes, I’m proud of the community and the world for showing so much support. We need to do better.”

    She said “better” means safer public transit and more attention to mental health, and she hopes the tragedy will not define Charlotte.

    “I think we’re a great city. And come visit us and don’t be scared of this because it does happen in a lot of places. This was just such a horrible tragedy that I don’t, well, I don’t really know what could have fully prevented it. Just keep the love going for each other.”

    As Fahey laid her flowers down, she reflected on what Zarutska will never have.

    “From the things I’ve read and everything I’ve seen how loved she was, and she deserves this day. She deserved a day to be married also and to be carrying flowers like this,” she said.

    The night ended quietly as candles flickered in the dark, and a community grieving a life cut short.

    Zarutska’s memorial at the East West light rail station continues to grow.

    (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)

     

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  • Mecklenburg board of commissioners approve transportation authority

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Change could be coming to Charlotte’s transit system after Mecklenburg County commissioners voted 8-1 Tuesday night to approve the creation of a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority.

    The plan now heads to voters in a November referendum. If approved, a one-cent sales tax would go directly toward public transportation projects. Essentials like groceries, gas and medicine would be excluded from the tax.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mecklenburg County commissioners voted 8-1 Tuesday night to approve the creation of a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority

    • If approved, a one-cent sales tax would go directly toward public transportation projects

    • Advocates with Sustain Charlotte pushed commissioners to include riders directly in the decision-making process in Tuesday night’s hearing

    • The conversation around transit has stretched for years, but safety has become more urgent since the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in August


    Commissioner Chair Mark Jerrell said the decision reflects growing urgency around improving mobility.

    “The consensus is that something needs to be done.”

    Jerrell says the new authority would replace the existing board and play a crucial role in overseeing transit.

    “Transit and transportation are important components of any growing community. We have got to be able to move people to critical points, access points to jobs, employment, education centers,” he said.

    Advocates with Sustain Charlotte pushed commissioners to include riders directly in the decision-making process in Tuesday night’s hearing.

    “We urge you to incorporate the following principles into your appointment process. First, to prioritize lived experience by including at least one daily catch bus rider among the appointees. This would require coordination with the city,” Meg Fencil of Sustain Charlotte said.

    Commissioners agreed, pledging that at least one board seat will be reserved for a rider.

    “That’s what we want. We want everyone to be able to participate with respect to the authority, and we’re going to make sure that we get the right people that are reflective of the community,” Jerrell said.

    The conversation around transit has stretched for years, but safety has become more urgent since the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in August.

    “One life is too many. And so it did help amplify this conversation to allow us to make sure that we remain focused on safety,” Jerrell said.

    Jerrell added that while safety on public transit remains a priority, it is still unclear whether revenue from the tax would help fund private security already contracted by the Charlotte Area Transit System.

    If approved, officials say about 30% of the money raised would come from people living outside Mecklenburg County.

    Jerrell confirmed the application process for the authority has begun, and there will be deadlines for the board selection process.

    Founder and Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte Shannon Binns sent the following statement:

    “Sustain Charlotte is very encouraged that the County Commission voted to move this important step forward. Creating a regional transit authority is a vital investment in our community’s future and will help build a more coordinated, accountable, and rider-focused transit system. We are especially glad to hear that at least one seat for a local transit user will be reserved on the new board. Riders bring essential lived experience to these decisions, and their voice will strengthen the authority’s work. We would like to see all appointing bodies go further by prioritizing lived experience in their selections, ensuring transparency in the appointment process, and requiring board members to ride transit at least periodically. That way, decisions about the future of our transit system are grounded in the realities of the people who depend on it every day. Buses are the backbone of our transit system and will continue to be, so representation from those who use them regularly is critical.”

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Advocates cite housing, mental health gaps after stabbing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The brutal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in August is sparking deeper conversations about the challenges people face when navigating homelessness, mental illness and criminal backgrounds.

    For Deborah Phillips, the case feels far too familiar.

    What You Need To Know

    • Iryna Zarutska’s killing is sparking conversation surrounding homelessness, mental illness and criminal backgrounds

    • Decarlos Brown’s family confirmed he was schizophrenic and homeless at the time of the attack

    • Carmichael says Zarutska’s killing highlights how the prison system often fails both individuals in crisis and the community around them

    • Zarutska was killed Aug. 22 while riding Charlotte’s light rail


    “This hits home for me,” she said.

    Phillips, the executive director of Block Love Charlotte, lost her nephew last year when he stepped in front of a train while struggling with mental health issues and homelessness.

    “We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of my nephew who stepped in front of a train last year here in Charlotte dealing with mental health issues, and homeless. He had been to me for resources,” Phillips said.

    His death motivated her to continue serving people in crisis, though she admits resources can only go so far.

    “Not necessarily the lack of resources. You can’t make somebody do what they don’t want to do. And that’s what we have to look at, because his family even stated, you know, multiple times that they tried to get him assistance,” she said.

    Mike Carmichael, co-founder of Leah’s Hopes and Dreams, shares the same concern.

    “They have to go. It’s not something that I’m going to push to do. They have to choose to do it,” Carmichael said.

    Court and jail records show Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused in Zarutska’s death, had at least 14 arrests over the years. His family confirmed he was schizophrenic and homeless at the time of the attack.

    The shelter Roof Above said permanent beds are limited and assigned either through a lottery or first-come basis. A criminal history can present additional hurdles.

    Access to psychiatric care is also scarce. The closest state psychiatric hospital is more than an hour away in Morganton. Its 300 beds are already full, with a waitlist stretching four to six months.

    The 2024 Point-in-Time Count, which tracks people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County, found:

    • 82% reported a medical or behavioral condition
    • 55% said homelessness factored into their arrest
    • 75% identified as African American
    • 92% were male

    Carmichael says Zarutska’s killing highlights how the prison system often fails both individuals in crisis and the community around them.

    “Because there’s a huge gap between the prison system and coming back home. So that’s why we are trying to make sure that we talk to each individual, explain to them when they get out, hey, these are the things you need to go. You need to go see your therapist or your psychiatrist. You need to take your meds,” he said.

    He believes more should be done while people are in custody.

    “Hey, look, I see this record. I’m going to place this person here and make sure they’re being taken care of. We cannot sit here and say, hey, you know, want to keep letting you out, keep letting you out, know you committed a crime this time. You do your time. And while you’re in there, we need to make sure that we’re taking care of that person,” Carmichael said.

    Brown’s family declined an interview. His mother cited safety concerns, while his sister said she noticed a serious change in his behavior after he served six years in jail.

     

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  • Suspect in custody following deadly light rail stabbing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 23-year-old woman who fled war in Ukraine was killed within minutes of stepping onto a Charlotte light rail train Friday night, police said.

    Police say the Aug. 22 attack was random, and the man accused of stabbing her is now in custody.

    Iryna Zarutska paints flowers on her wall. (Iryna Zarutska obituary)

    What You Need To Know

    •  23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine, was killed on the Charlotte light rail, officials said

    • Police said the attack was random, and the man accused of stabbing her is now in custody

    • Zarutska was found in the rear car of the train and pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. after suffering a stab wound to the throat, according to an affidavit 

    • Security has increased on the light rail since the incident, officials said


    Officers responded around 10 p.m. to the East/West Station on Camden Road after callers reported a woman had been attacked, records show.

    Witnesses said the suspect, later identified as Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., was wearing the same clothing described by 911 callers, according to police. He was found on the outbound platform and taken to a hospital for treatment of a hand injury before being booked into jail, police said.

    The victim, Iryna Zarutska, was found in the rear car of the train and pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m. after suffering a stab wound to the throat, according to an affidavit.

    Surveillance video from inside the train shows Zarutska sitting in front of the suspect, according to investigators.

    About four and a half minutes into the ride, the man pulled a knife from his pocket, stood up and attacked her, police said. The video shows blood dripping onto the floor as the suspect walked away, investigators said. Detectives said there appeared to be no prior interaction between the two.

    A folding knife was recovered near the platform, police said. Authorities confirmed Brown is facing a murder charge.

    Zarutska’s death has raised new concerns in Charlotte about the safety of public transportation, with community members calling for stronger protections on buses and trains.

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  • Predator used Robux to lure 10-year-old, lawsuit says

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    GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — A High Point mother sued Roblox Corporation, claiming the gaming platform enabled the sexual exploitation of her 10-year-old daughter.

    What You Need To Know

    • A High Point mother says the Roblox gaming platform enabled the sexual exploitation of her young daughter

    • She filed a lawsuit in Guilford County Superior Court

    • The lawsuit claims Roblox misled parents about the platform’s safety, arguing its design makes children “easy and accessible prey” for predators

    • Spectrum News 1 was denied an interview with the family pursing the lawsuit


    Filed in Guilford County Superior Court, the lawsuit alleges Roblox created a “breeding ground for predators” and failed to protect children from online exploitation. The girl, identified as Jane Doe, was allegedly targeted by an adult predator on Roblox who posed as a peer.

    According to the complaint, the predator gained the child’s trust, then manipulated her into sending sexually explicit images in exchange for Robux, the platform’s virtual currency used for in-game purchases.

    “This case against Roblox is a terrifying reminder of the world we live in where capitalist greed far outweighs humanity,” said Matthew Dolman, principal of Dolman Law Group. “There have never been sufficient safety measures and protocols in place, and children are suffering unimaginably. With Roblox, evil individuals have another literal bargaining chip to play out their unthinkable fantasies with impressionable children.”

    The lawsuit claims Roblox misled parents about the platform’s safety, arguing its design makes children “easy and accessible prey” for predators. Dolman Law Group pointed to disturbing Roblox experiences with titles such as “Diddy Party,” “Survive Diddy” and “Escape to Epstein Island.”

    The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for “life-altering injuries,” including severe mental health struggles, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety. The lawsuit states she is in therapy to cope with the trauma.

    Dolman Law Group said it is preparing to represent additional families in similar lawsuits nationwide.

    Spectrum News 1 requested an interview with those families. The law firm declined and said: “Unfortunately we have to refrain from any interviews with survivors/parents, even anonymously, to protect their identities/mental health given the trauma.”

    However, they did offer an opportunity to interview members of the law firm.

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Affordable housing complex combats crime as juvenile arrests rise in Charlotte

    Affordable housing complex combats crime as juvenile arrests rise in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department is putting an emphasis on stopping juvenile crimes, which data shows is on the rise, and one afforable housing complex is lowering crime rates as a community too.

    Over the past few months, CMPD announced a new initiative to combat juvenile crime, called J.A.D.E. In 2023, officers say they made more than 3,000 juvenile arrests, a 34% increase from the previous year.  More than 100 juveniles were suspects in shooting investigations, which is up 33%.


    “We don’t do this on our own, the residents who live here know what’s happening here, and they know who the troublemakers are. So they needed a safe space to be able to share what’s happening. We created this ‘see something, say something’ program that does have a financial reward so they can let us know what’s happening because they know better than anyone,” said Inlivian representative Cheron Porter. 

    Porter said at one point, the Little Rock Apartments in Charlotte was considered an unsafe community, with several concerns including lack of staffing.

    “We took over the property in November of 2022, and when we came to the site, there was only one staff person, there was no maintenance people, rent hadn’t been collected in a better part of two years,” Porter said.

    The other major concern was the rising crime in the complex, which they said grew because of lack of surveillance.

    “We’re not police officers, we can’t stop crime, but we can certainly help with solutions to it. Again, we don’t do it by ourselves again, we do it with partners and key to that, yes, was getting operational cameras,” Porter said.

    Cameras were just one part of the solution, according to Porter. It also took more street lights, patrols from Charlotte police and trimming of hedges to avoid hideouts for unwanted activity.

    “We’ve had a 56% reduction in violent crimes here, that’s tremendous. It’s also said, [to] be honest with you, it’s hard because no one should live in that environment and we don’t want our residents to live in that environment whatsoever,” Porter said.

    Street signs in th eneighborhood have posters that say things like “stop the killing,” “stop the violence” and “be the change,” or sidewalks that are engraved with “RIP.”

    “That message is all about accountability. If you want to see a change, you got to be able to open up your mouth and let us know what’s going on,” Porter said. “We are being the change, they are the change, and it’s changed this community quite a bit.”

    Porter said that the neighborhood is also providing programs for teens as summer kicks off so that they’re active and avoiding activities that may enable bad behavior. 

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