Crime

Homicide Rate Remains Low, But Some Neighborhoods Struggle

By Cleve R. Wootson Jr. • Jan 2, 2014
Todd Sumlin / Charlotte Observer

Despite an uptick in 2013, the number of homicides in Charlotte-Mecklenburg remained near historic lows. But some neighborhoods continued to struggle with the violence that has plagued them for decades.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police investigated 58 homicides in 2013, six more than in 2012. Taken together, however, the last five years reflect a sustained decrease in killings.

Four homicides occurred within a block of each other along West Boulevard, near a former housing project notorious for crime.

Charlotte Investors Victim Of $44M Ponzi Scheme

By Tasnim Shamma • Dec 19, 2013

A Statesville man is indicted on charges of operating a $44 million dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 200 people since 2007.

Daniel Williford faces five federal counts of money laundering following an FBI investigation.

Fifty-five-year-old Daniel Williford doesn't fit the image of someone who runs a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. He owns a middle-class four-bedroom home in Statesville, valued at about $200,000. He's a former airline pilot who went into the computer business for himself about 20 years ago.

$500K Bond For Couple Accused Of Handcuffing Child

By Tasnim Shamma • Nov 18, 2013
Union County Sheriff's Office

 Bond was set for about $500,000 each for the Monroe couple charged with child abuse for allegedly handcuffing an 11-year-old boy by the ankle to their front porch. Dorian Harper and Wanda Larson -- a supervisor in the county's department of social services -- had their first court appearance in front of a Union County judge Monday morning. On Friday, an animal control officer found the child while responding to a complaint about a loose animal. While looking for the animal, he followed a trail that led to the child's secluded home.

'Ski Mask Rapist' Confesses To Six More Crimes

By Tasnim Shamma • Nov 13, 2013
Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

A 34-year-old sexual assault case ended Tuesday. In 1979, Jerry Brooks raped at least eight women in Charlotte. He was scheduled to go to trial today but as part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty and received a life sentence.


Officer's Attorney: Shooting Justified; CMPD Releases 911 Tape

By Tasnim Shamma • Sep 17, 2013
Tasnim Shamma

A CMPD officer charged with voluntary manslaughter after shooting a man 10 times had his first court appearance on Tuesday. At the court hearing, the judge scheduled the next court date for the morning of October 7. Meanwhile, defense attorney Michael Greene says he believes officer Randall Kerrick was justified in his shooting.

String Of Shooting Deaths An Anomaly, CMPD Says

By Tasnim Shamma • Sep 3, 2013
Tasnim Shamma

In the last six days, there have been six fatal shootings in Charlotte. Five of them were homicides. Early Tuesday morning, 22-year-old Dominick Alexander was shot to death outside of a nightclub on Atando Avenue in north Charlotte. At a press conference Tuesday, CMPD Deputy Chief Kerr Putney said three of the homicides are suspected of being drug-related and none of them are connected to each other.

CMPD Offers More User-Friendly Crime Monitoring

By Tasnim Shamma • Aug 15, 2013
CrimeMapping.com

Earlier this week, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department launched a new crime-mapping system. It's much easier to use, updated more frequently and you can even pull it up on your smartphone.  


Through The Eyes Of A Burglar

There is a glamorous view in the past of the black-suited, stealthy cat burglar but home invasions are far from glamorous. Would-be burglars case neighborhoods and individual homes for weaknesses and entry points. What makes these criminals tick and what drives them to break into a home, putting the homeowner and even themselves at risk? UNC Charlotte researcher, Dr. Joe Kuhns, wanted to get into the mind of the burglar so he sat down with hundreds of them to find out why they break into homes and businesses. He joins us to share his findings as we look through the eyes of a burglar when Charlotte Talks.

Citizen's Court: Talking It Out With Your Neighbor

By Tasnim Shamma • Mar 5, 2013
Tasnim Shamma

The Mecklenburg County Courthouse processes up to 1,600 misdemeanor cases a day. And administrators are always looking for ways to bring that number down so that judges have more manageable caseloads. One of the newest initiatives is mediation. Also known as Citizen's Court.

WFAE's Tasnim Shamma spent a day at Citizen's Court to see how well mediation was working … or not.

Family Of Dead Pastor Asks Judge To Show Mercy

By Tasnim Shamma • Feb 22, 2013
South Carolina Department of Corrections

A woman who killed a pastor while drunk and high on drugs will only serve a one year prison sentence – in part because the pastor's family asked the judge to show mercy.

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