Teen crime increases in Charlotte in 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a violent end to Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte.

Six people were shot in five separate shootings, many of which involved teenagers.

With youth crime already on the rise, City Councilman Tariq Bokhari, who represents south Charlotte, said city leaders are focusing on prevention heading into summer.

“Summer is always the time that worries us the most because of the lack of schools and not being busy there,” Bakhari said. “It's just a recipe for breaking the camel's back. Violent youth crime is simply out of control.”

For the latest stories focused on people seeking solutions to systemic problems, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.

In the first quarter of this year alone, CMPD said youths were involved in more than 20 shootings and 220 carjackings in Charlotte.

Bokhari said it will take efforts at the state and local level to create change.

“How do we approach our legal process and this broader criminal justice system with things like Raise the Age… where if they were 18 or younger before this law, they would be somewhere else, not back on the streets” , explained Bokhari.

Organizations like Heal Charlotte work to provide wraparound services, such as housing and food, that help break the cycle of poverty and reduce crime.

“We hope to significantly reduce the number of homeless people right now, but we're only a small piece,” said founder Greg Jackson. “We are not the answer.”

Subscribe to WCNC Charlotte on YouTube to be notified of new videos

In April, Heal Charlotte opened a housing center in a former hotel in the Sugar Creek corridor. They already have a waiting list of more than 800 people, he said.

“So we need a lot of people to start thinking about how to reverse gentrification that allows people to stay in an area that is vibrant and committed to economic mobility,” Jackson said. “Which basically gets everyone to some degree of upward mobility, right?”

The city is also working to address systemic challenges and support police in its upcoming budget. These discussions should end in early June.

Contact Kayland Hagwood at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the many issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve enduring social problems. We look at how problems can be solved or addressed to improve quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is looking for solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to [email protected].