4 Charged In Charlotte's 5th Homicide In 5 Days

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Officers have arrested four people in connection with the shooting death of a man in west Charlotte.

Charles Sammons, 24, Mitchelle Osborne, 24, Suliman Elamin, 32, and Darius Chapman, 27, have been charged with murder in the death of Jerman McJunkins, 23, who was shot and killed at the West Down Apartments on Mattoon Street at about 11 p.m. Wednesday.

McJunkins' death was the fifth homicide in Charlotte in five days.

On Tuesday, police charged Ishmal Catthel, 19, with murder in the death of Michael Smith, 29, who was shot Sunday evening on Camrose Drive and died on Monday.

Dominique McGriff, 21, and Tia Mitchell, 23, were found shot to death inside a vehicle Sunday night on Morning Drive.

Devon Clement, 20, was shot outside a Cookout restaurant on Sugar Creek Drive early Sunday morning and died a short time later.

Investigators and patrol officers are working on the homicide cases "around the clock," according to Chief Rodney Monroe.

Police have "increased patrols in neighborhoods affected by these recent cases," Monroe said in an e-mail, "and we anticipate additional arrests."

"Every one of these cases involved young people," Deputy Chief Harold Medlock said. "It's maddening to us as a police department. It is frustrating to us that we have our young people in this community that continue to want to resolve their differences with firearms."

Chief Monroe's Full Statement

The five homicides that our community has experienced over the last five days are troubling; anytime a community experiences a senseless loss of life it is tragic.

I want to ensure our citizens that the CMPD is working aggressively to bring resolution to each and every one of these cases. Investigative Units have made arrests in two of the four homicide cases that have occurred this week including the homicide of Jermaine McJunkins that occurred on Mattoon St. last night and the homicide of Michael Pernell Smith that occurred on Camrose Dr. this past Sunday.

The department has a full compliment of investigative and patrol units working these four cases around the clock and we anticipate additional arrests. Our investigations lead us to believe these murders involve relationships between known associates. None of these four cases are random acts of violence.

The CMPD has increased patrols in neighborhoods affected by these recent cases providing a visible presence to ensure the safety of our citizens. We have deployed specialized units including VCAT , Firearms, Vice/Narcotics and Gang to develop vital information. We continue to receive information from community members that will assist us in solving these cases. The Homicide Unit encourages anyone with information to contact them on the Tips line at 704-432-TIPS.

Previous Stories: May 20, 2010: Man Killed Outside North Charlotte Restaurant May 16, 2010: 1 Shot In Northeast Charlotte, Police Investigate May 17, 2010: Two Victims Identified In West Charlotte Double Murder May 17, 2010: Man, Woman Killed In West Charlotte Shooting

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