Five people were killed in four separate shootings across Charlotte over the weekend of Oct. 24–25, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Two of the victims were teenagers.
The violence has put safety front and center for residents citywide, first reported by WBTV, as Halloween approaches Saturday, Oct. 31. A new teen curfew does not take effect until Sunday, Nov. 1.
"Not only does it affect the families, it affects neighborhoods," said Maj. Michael Anderson with CMPD's Criminal Investigations Bureau. "It affects the sense of safety across the city of Charlotte."
The first shooting happened around 3 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in the 700 block of High Meadow Lane near I-77 in south Charlotte, according to a CMPD news release. CMPD identified the victim as Zachary Howie, 35. No arrests have been made.
A second shooting followed around 5:27 p.m. that day in the 16000 block of Simril Court near South Tryon Street in southwest Charlotte, according to a separate CMPD release. The victim was Abdullah Hamid, 52. CMPD said detectives are not looking for additional involved parties in that case.
Around 11:03 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the 10000 block of Altliff Court near McLean Road in northeast Charlotte, according to a CMPD release. Thomas McDonald, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene. CMPD identified Andrea Cole, 25, as a suspect and charged Cole with first-degree murder.
The deadliest incident came around 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, in the 10000 block of Ridge Creek Drive near Carowinds Boulevard in southwest Charlotte, according to a CMPD release. Four people were shot. Ariel Isaac Rodriquez-Pineda, 19, and a 16-year-old whose name CMPD has not released were killed at the scene. Luis Martinez, 19, sustained life-threatening injuries. A second 16-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made.
Lisa Crawford, executive director of Mothers of Murdered Offspring, called the weekend one of the darkest she can remember, according to WBTV. Crawford said she is worried about further violence over Halloween weekend, with the teen curfew pilot program not starting until Nov. 1.
Charlotte City Council voted 9-2 on Sept. 28 to approve the curfew, which applies to everyone under 18 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week, according to WBTV. Exceptions include jobs, emergencies, sanctioned events and being accompanied by a parent or guardian. The pilot runs through Aug. 31, 2027.
CMPD said officers continue to see people resorting to gunfire to resolve arguments, according to WBTV. Anderson said the department needs community help to stop the violence.
All four investigations remain active. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
