Death, Chaos, & Gangs at Speed Street Festival in Charlotte, NC over Memorial Day Weekend (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on May 31, 2011
A violent gunfight in Charlotte, NC, believed to be gang-related, left one man dead and 70 arrested over the Memorial Day weekend
In Charlotte, North Carolina, violence that is believed to be gang-related broke out following Memorial Day celebrations at a Speed Street festival, leaving one man dead and 70 people arrested.
There are concerns about security following the gunfight because this is the chosen location for next year’s Democratic National Convention.
From WFAE News, Violence In Uptown Charlotte Raises Security Questions:
One man died and police arrested more than 70 people in an unusually large fight that broke out late Saturday uptown. The incident happened just hours after the conclusion of the annual Speed Street festival and raises security questions with the coming July 4 holiday and next year’s Democratic National Convention.
Up to 30,000 people crammed into the four blocks around College and Trade streets late Saturday night as the Speed Street festival wound down. Police say around 1 a.m. multiple shots were fired, leaving one man dead. Officers in riot gear saw people flashing gang signs. Seventy people ended up in jail.
It’s one of the largest fights uptown has seen since July 4, 2006.
From WBTV, Family and friends remember man shot and killed uptown:
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Monday night dozens of family and friends held a vigil near the spot in uptown Charlotte where a 22-year old man was shot and killed early Sunday morning.
The family of Antwan Smith says they are looking for answers, and they’re calling for anyone with information about his murder to come forward. They also want the shooter to turn himself in.
“You know what you did was wrong,” said Smith’s twin brother Antonio. “Now do the right thing.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say Antwan Smith was killed after two groups began fighting along the 200 block of 3rd Street early Sunday morning around 1:08 a.m.
Police in Charlotte say at least 70 people were arrested in a melee that lead to the deadly shooting.
Shawnta Smith says her brother was not the intended target.
“From what we understand it wasn’t even his fight but he took the bullet. He always defended his friends and people knew him for that,” Smith said.
Officers say someone pulled out a handgun and started to shooting, Smith was shot in the head. He was pronounced dead by MEDIC when they arrived at the scene.
“I know somebody saw something – out of that whole crowd – someone knows. It’s just a matter of time until their conscience or something – somebody’s going to let us know something. All we want is closure just want to know what happened,” Smith said.
From Boston Herald, 70 arrested, 1 killed in disturbance in Charlotte:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Authorities say a fatal shooting along with fights and people blocking traffic led Charlotte police to call out its civil emergency unit.
Police said more than 70 people were arrested early Sunday morning in the disturbances in the city’s Uptown.
Investigators said the trouble started around 1 a.m. when someone fired a gun as two large groups argued. One person was shot in the head and killed. A second was shot in the leg, but is expected to recover.
Police say officers noticed many of the people involved in the disturbance were flashing gang signs.
The following statement was released yesterday by Mayor Foxx:
“The crime that took place Sunday morning is disturbing and unacceptable. Neither our center city nor any of our neighborhoods are appropriate places for violence. Over the last twenty four hours, our police force has been focused on getting to the bottom of this incident. I have full confidence that Chief Monroe will use all of the tools available to find and ensure the prosecution of those responsible and take preemptive actions to make sure this rare occurrence does not repeat itself. While Charlotte’s crime rate is the lowest in 30 years, the events of Sunday morning are a harsh reminder that we still have more work to do.”
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