Uptick In Gun Violence Targeted By Police With Special Unit

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is working on an ongoing initiative to reduce gun violence in the Queen City.

In a press conference Wednesday, CMPD explained while overall crime is down 5 percent from this time last year, crimes involving guns are up. Specifically, crimes involving assaults with a deadly weapon are up six percent, and shootings into occupied properties are up 2 percent.

The way CMPD is tackling the issue is with a special unit called the Crime Gun Suppression Team which includes the gang unit, a task force specifically for those who shoot unto occupied properties and other resources.

The CGST duty is targeting violent criminal groups and addressing retaliatory and series gun-crime cases.

CGST has made 28 arrests and seized 29 firearms. Recently, an investigation into a violent and active group in Charlotte resulted in six arrests, 11 firearm seizures, and the recovery of large amounts of cash and narcotics.

CMPD highlighted three recent cases, but says the issue is ongoing and a violent group continues to operate in Charlotte.