Residents march against violence in Grier Heights

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly 500 Grier Heights residents joined with dozens of police officers Thursday night to speak out against neighborhood violence.

It was easy to see tonight that the Grier Heights community is deeply affected by this month's violence. There have been three shootings including two murders in May. Police said overall crime dropped by one third in 2011.

Residents met in a parking lot on Sam Drennan Road to protest the shootings, and then hundreds more residents participated in a march down Zircon Street, flanked by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe.

"Hopefully this will be a wake-up call for everyone to pull together and stop the violence over here," said resident Dolores Goodson.

The two May murders occurred just blocks apart, and police have not made any arrests. Police identified a suspect -- Edward Hicks -- in the most recent homicide, but detectives have not been able to find him.

Police said Hicks shot and killed Nakio Cousart Saturday night on Zircon Street. Detectives believe Hicks is still in Charlotte.

Cousart's cousin said he's spreading a message of peace to people who approach him.

"I'm hoping it wakes people up. To let them know to put the guns down. Stop with all the shooting. It's unnecessary," said Mike McMurray.

More than 300 residents gathered on Sam Drennan Road, along with a dozen uniformed police officers and homicide detectives.

CMPD Deputy Chief Vicki Foster said she wanted to bring out as many detectives as possible to Thursday's rally, and she asked for the community's trust.

"We're here because we want to support you, we want to support this community, and that's what we're here for," Foster said.

Ronald Martin, 20, was shot and killed while standing on his mother's porch in early May. Police do not have any suspects in that homicide, and detectives are asking people to call Crimestoppers with new tips.

WSOC