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CMPD chief: Overall crime down from same time last year

By Mark Becker, wsoctv.com
By Mark Becker, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE — There were 10 shootings into Charlotte homes between Friday and Monday, spanning across the Queen City, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Police said children were inside seven of those homes when shots were fired.

Deedee Foster was in her house off Wilkinson Boulevard on Sunday afternoon when someone outside started shooting. She said she heard about five or six shots at about 3:15 p.m.

“I thought my air conditioner had blown up, but it was gunfire,” she said Tuesday.

No one in the home was hit by the bullets, but it was a close call.

VIDEO: More than 50 rounds fired at home while kids played outside

“Thank God that no one was in my shower,” Foster said. “Thank God that no one was sitting at my computer desk. And I was lying down so the bullet was just inches from my head.”

Nelson Genao heard shots being fired at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday at a condominium complex on Shady Oak Trail.

“It was like an exchange of two gunshots,” Genao said.

Genao told Channel 9 that he counted 10 shots. No one was hit.

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Genao said shootings happen so often that he has become used to the gunfire.

“And honestly, it’s probably over nothing,” he said. “Probably someone cursing someone out for no reason. It doesn’t make any sense. Why?”

CMPD discussed violent crime trends during a Wednesday morning briefing.

(Watch the video below on Charlotte’s latest crime statistics)

CMPD chief: Overall crime down from same time last year

Overall crime in the city is down 6% from the same time last year.

Crimes that are down:

  • Property Crime (9%)
  • Burglaries (23%)
  • Homicides (2%)
  • Robberies (22%)
  • Arson (26%)

Crimes that are up:

  • Sex Assaults (42%)
  • Aggravated Assaults (13%)
  • Larcenies from Autos (5%)
  • Vehicle Thefts (11%)
  • Violent Crime (5%)

Chief Johnny Jennings welcomed the drop in overall crime. He also warned that it comes during a year after violent crime spiked during the pandemic.

“So as we talk about numbers being down, I don’t think it’s time to celebrate that,” Jennings said. “I think it’s time to look at how do we continue that downward trend?”

(WATCH BELOW: Man charged after more than 50 shots fired near uptown hookah lounge)

Man charged after more than 50 shots fired near uptown hookah lounge

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