Fatal shooting in night of uptown Charlotte trouble

By Steve Lyttle
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, May. 29, 2011
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One person was killed and another wounded in an incident apparently related to a night of disorderly conduct by large numbers of people in Charlotte's uptown.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police had to activate and call in their Civil Emergency Unit to deal with the trouble, which might have been gang-related, according to some reports. More than 100 people were involved in the series of incidents, which happened on Trade and College streets, near the Transportation Center on East Trade Street, and on East Third Street.

CMPD Officer Robert Fey, a spokesman for the department, said the shooting was not related to Food Lion Speed Streets.

"That had ended several hours earlier," Fey said.

About 70 people, including 15 juveniles, were arrested. Most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct, fighting, assault and impeding traffic.

It was one of the worst incidents in Charlotte's uptown since rioting broke out after a Fourth of July fireworks show in 2006. Police have not given a description of those involved in the violence Saturday night and early Sunday.

Police say two large groups became involved in an argument sometime shortly before 1 a.m. -- about two hours after Speed Street had ended. The two groups, centered along East Third Street, continued the argument until someone pulled a gun, police say, and started firing.

One person was shot in the head and killed. Another person was shot in the leg, but is expected to recover. The shooting happened in the 200 block of East Third.

Police say they are interviewing witnesses to the shooting. Investigators have not released any identifying information about the possible shooter or anyone else involved in the fighting and shooting.

Fey says police used their K-9 dog unit in an attempt to find the suspect, but the dog was not able to pick up a track.

The shooting followed several hours of trouble for police in uptown. They say large groups caused a variety of problems during the evening in the area near Trade and College streets.According to police, the trouble-makers flashed gang signs and interfered with the estimated 20,000 people who were in the uptown area for Speed Street or other entertainment events.

Some of those involved in the trouble refused to follow orders from police and even tried blocking streets at times.

Fey said police called in the Civil Emergency unit, which includes officers from divisions outside the Central district, to help disperse the groups of people in the area.

Anyone with information about the fatal shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 704-334-1600.

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