According to several sources 47 people, including nearly two dozen who are under the age of 18, were arrested after a riot broke out during a fireworks show in Uptown on July 4.
Police said 47 people were arrested or cited. 17 were juveniles, the youngest of whom was 13 and oldest was 17. The other 15 people were adults.
CMPD officers seized four firearms in the process.
The charges against the suspects included the following:
Affray
Carrying a concealed weapon
Resisting a public officer
Assault on a government official
Disorderly conduct
Possession of a firearm on city property
Possession of a pyrotechnic
Failure to disperse.
Police said they additionally cited the parents or guardians of 15 of the juveniles. They were charged by citation for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Police said though no one attending the Fourth of July event was hurt, two CMPD officers had minor injuries as a result.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said the disruption appeared to have been planned.
“That’s not who Charlotte is and that’s not who we represent,” Jennings said.
“I’m proud of the response that we had within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department,” Jennings added.
When asked what he thinks about people who are scared to come into the city for large events, Jennings said his department is working to change that.
“We have a beautiful Uptown area. We have amazing events, and we have thousands of people every single year that come and enjoy festivities that we put on within within our city,” he said. “So I will say that perception is reality, because if they don’t feel safe, then that means they’re not going to take advantage of some of the great events that we do have. We want to try to reverse that in for the majority.”
Jennings also shared a statement on Twitter about the incident.
“In regards to the July 4th disruptions in Uptown last night, CMPD was prepared and properly staffed with numerous assets and personnel dedicated to this event. These men and women performed admirably under sometimes tense and challenging circumstances focusing on safety, de-escalation, and enforcement of the law.”
Cedar's Take:
In the past three or four times a year my family will book a suite at Truist Field for a Knights Baseball game. The price as a group isn't bad and the staff is awesome.
The Knights rep contacted us several weeks ago about using one of the 1st base suites for the July Fourth event. Thankfully we decided that Uptown had just turned into a shitshow after dark and so why risk it. Sunday afternoon games we'll still go. Same with Panther's Club section seats. But games at night no thanks.
We shitcanned Hornets games and gave up some awesome table seats years ago for the same reason.
I've been to Truist Field for a Braves Game and can tell you there is a solid 3 mile perimeter around the place. Not a thug or hood rat in sight. Wall to Wall Law Enforcement and they transport anyone who is not moving to or from the gates.