Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden called on Ballantyne residents by name Oct. 29, urging them to help stop gun violence after five people were killed in four separate Charlotte shootings over the weekend.

"Community leaders, parents, teachers, preachers, professional athletes and every neighbor from Ballantyne to Beatties Ford all must take a role," McFadden wrote in a public statement first reported by WCNC.

Two of the five victims were teenagers. As of Oct. 29, police had made only one arrest in connection with the four shootings, according to WSOC-TV.

McFadden, a former homicide detective, said he drew on years of standing with grieving families when he decided to speak out.

"As a community, we cannot accept this as 'normal,'" McFadden wrote. "We cannot read the headlines and move on because the violence happened in another ZIP code or does not fit our political or personal agenda."

What McFadden asked residents to do

The sheriff laid out specific actions. He asked residents to show up in neighborhoods, churches and community gatherings. He urged them to talk with young people and support families.

"If you see a young person heading toward violence or danger, reach out before it is too late," McFadden wrote. "Speak up and report it. Silence leaves too much room for violence."

He pushed back against symbolic gestures. "Our communities deserve more than another moment of silence, a rally or a balloon release," he wrote. "We deserve action."

Weekend violence included teen victims at car meet-up

One of the weekend incidents was a double homicide at a car meet-up event. Two 16-year-olds and two 19-year-olds were shot in an industrial zone off Ridge Creek Drive, WSOC-TV reported. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Estella Patterson said the fatal incident stemmed from a recurring issue officers had encountered for months.

Curfew pilot takes effect Nov. 1

Charlotte City Council voted 9-2 on Sept. 28 to adopt a stricter curfew requiring anyone under 18 to be home by 10 p.m. every day, according to WFAE. Exceptions include parental accompaniment and travel to and from jobs. The pilot program runs through August 2027.

Patterson said the department's goal is voluntary compliance, not punishment. Officers who encounter minors out after curfew plan to contact parents first rather than issue violations.

How to report

Residents who have information about violent crime can contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Tips are anonymous, and those that help solve a homicide may be eligible for rewards up to $5,000.