Police, local leaders address gun violence in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Gun violence continues to be a major concern in Charlotte.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, there have been 2,359 victims of gun-related crime in Charlotte so far in 2023, down approximately 4% from the same period in 2022.

The department provided this statistical breakdown of gun-related crime in Charlotte in 2023:

Homicide by firearm victims - 27
Homicide by firearm victims (under 18) - 3
Juvenile victims of violent crime involving firearms - 426
Juvenile suspects of violent crime involving firearms - 90
Shooting into occupied property incidents - 342
Guns found/seized as evidence - 1,392
Guns stolen - 679

“The true number of victims can’t be counted. It’s immeasurable,” CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings said during a Friday news conference.

The department previously announced that officers seized more than 800 guns during the first quarter of 2023.

Related: CMPD: 800+ guns seized in first quarter of 2023

The city is putting in extra effort to clean up the streets, with Friday being Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Organizations throughout the city are speaking out on this issue that they say is impacting everyone.

“The kids these days, they’re getting bold,” said Clydia Hemingway.

Her 22-year-old son, Donqwavias Davis, was shot and killed in 2019.

“It’s time for the courts to get bolder,” Hemingway added.

Since 2021, the homicide rate in Charlotte has been on the rise. Some of the offenders are under the age of 18. Stop Killing Our Children support group is one of the many organizations in the city that want to see fewer guns in the streets.

It was founded by Stephanie Harrison, who created the group after her son was murdered in 2015.

Harrison says some kids don’t have access to activities outside of school and this is becoming a part of the problem.

She feels this is leading to some kids traveling down the wrong path.

“Please put these guns down. No parent should have to bury their child due to senseless gun violence,” Harrison said. The homicide rate is increasing. When we was out doing the marches before COVID, we had a 6% decrease. Now, we have a 21% increase. That’s not good at all.”

Download the free WBTV News app for updates from that news conference.

The city is putting in extra effort to clean up the streets, with Friday being Gun Violence Awareness Day.

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