Tricia Cotham Jumps Ship Dem Go Crazy

Local democrats are having a nutty over Tricia Cotham's switch to the Republican Party.

But this is mostly good news for North Carolina and bad news for those pursuing a woke virtue signaling agenda. More so great news for law enforcement officer state wide.

The local paper did a fair look into Cotham's voting record and this is pretty good work. Unfortunately you can't read it online because of the endless pop-ups and webpage reloads. It is even worst if you are using your iPhone.

So here as a public service is the "local paper's" take:

What Does NC Rep. Tricia Cotham stand for?

Here’s what her voting history shows

The party switch On April 5, 2023, Democratic N.C. House Rep. Tricia Cotham announced she would join the House Republican caucus, provoking polarizing reactions from each party. The move will have major ramifications for North Carolina state politics.

N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham spoke clearly during an emotional 2015 debate about a bill to require women to wait three days before getting an abortion. “My womb and my uterus are not up for your political grab,” said Cotham, then a Democratic representative for the 100th N.C. House District. Seven years later, she again made her opinion known in response to a questionnaire from The Charlotte Observer. 

Cotham left the legislature in 2017 after an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 2016.

She won the 112th House District seat in November as a registered Democrat. “North Carolina should act now to codify Roe v. Wade to affirm the right to an abortion without interference,” Cotham wrote in 2022 when asked what the state should do if the landmark court ruling was overturned.

She also signed on as a co-sponsor in January of a bill to “codify Roe v. Wade” — prevent restrictions on abortion before fetal viability, unless the person’s life or health is in danger and stop any “undue burden” of the ability of a woman to choose.

But as she announced a party registration change on Wednesday, giving North Carolina Republicans a supermajority in the House, Cotham declined to commit to specific views on legislation. Cotham said she’s never thought abortion was “the biggest issue facing women in North Carolina” and said she would research bills before deciding. “There’s a piece of good advice I learned a long time ago: Don’t discuss legislation that’s not before you. So, I’m not going to do that,” Cotham said Wednesday during a news conference in Raleigh.

Already a swing vote on some issues, Cotham’s stance could be decisive on abortion rights in North Carolina. The state currently bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and Republicans are considering a 12-week ban. A total abortion ban introduced this year has just three sponsors or co-sponsors and hasn’t moved out of the House Rules Committee.

A gubernatorial veto override requires three-fifths of people present in the House at the time. That’s 72 votes with all members present, and Cotham’s switch makes 72 House Republicans. Here’s where Cotham stands on other issues or when she has crossed party lines.

IMMIGRATION AND SHERIFFS

Cotham voted last month with Republicans and two other Democrats in favor of House Bill 10. The bill passed the House 71-44, with two Democrats and three Republicans not voting.

It requires county sheriffs to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when people are charged with certain felony and misdemeanor offenses and are the subject of immigration detainers, including holding them for at least 48 hours in jail. It would also require sheriffs and other jail administrators to notify ICE if they can’t determine the legal status of people charged with certain crimes.

The bill attracted opposition from N.C. sheriffs such as Mecklenburg County’s Garry McFadden, who previously told the Observer the bill takes away local law enforcement’s authority and that sheriffs already must cooperate with ICE.

PISTOL PERMIT REPEAL

Cotham was absent March 29 when the House voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, which eliminated the state’s pistol permit requirement. It also allowed concealed handguns in places of worship that are also schools. Because she and two other Democrats missed the vote, Republicans succeeded in overriding Cooper’s veto with a 71-46 vote count. She said a scheduled medical appointment for long COVID was the reason for her absence. She voted in February against a more narrowly tailored measure, House Bill 50, only containing the pistol permit repeal.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Prior to her party switch, Cotham maintained an outsized role for a Democrat in a Republican-controlled legislature as chair of the House K-12 Education Committee. She’s a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools educator and served as vice chair of the House Education committee during her prior stint in the legislature. Sign up for Kaleidoscope An essential newsletter about race, culture and equity in the greater Charlotte and Mecklenburg County region.

She was one of three Democrats to vote with Republicans in favor of House Bill 149, which she also co-sponsored. The bill allows regional and statewide online-only charter schools, extends the state’s virtual charter school pilot program for one year and requires the state community college system’s president to be confirmed by the legislature.

WHO IS TRICIA COTHAM?

New Republican has history of Demoratic politics She’s the only Democrat to sign on as a co-sponsor of a charter school omnibus bill, HB 2019. The bill’s provisions include requiring the State Board of Education not to consider the impact on local public school districts when deciding when to approve a charter. It allows for the creation of a “micro school” within charter schools that could include specialized curriculum for a group of students. Another section of the bill allows counties to provide money to charter schools for capital improvements similar to local public school districts. In her 2022 questionnaire, Cotham said she wanted to eliminate “high stakes tests” because the state puts too much weight on test scores. Cotham also said in the questionnaire the state should fully fund the Leandro plan, which refers to court rulings that North Carolina has a constitutional obligation to give students access to a sound, basic education.

NEW RULES FOR NC DEAF AND BLIND SCHOOLS

Cotham voted last month with two other Democrats in favor of House Bill 11, which creates new boards to supervise the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf in Wilson, the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. Cooper allowed the bill to become law without his signature, saying it “unconstitutionally attacks the State Board of Education by putting partisan political appointees of the legislature in charge of our NC schools for the deaf and blind.”

CRITICAL RACE THEORY

Cotham voted last month with Democrats against House Bill 187, a bill titled “equality in education,” but that critics such as Mecklenburg Democratic Rep. Laura Budd say would “micromanage from the General Assembly into the classrooms.” The bill says that teachers shall not promote that anyone “should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress” based on their race or sex.

PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARDS

Last month, Cotham voted along party lines and with Democrats against House Bill 88, which would make a number of local school board races partisan. The bill made changes to school board elections in Ashe, Cabarrus, Henderson, McDowell and Mitchell counties. Now, in counties such as Cabarrus candidates will run according to what party they’re registered with.

Republican legislators argue the change gives voters more information. Opponents say it injects more national politics into local public schools. In Guilford County, House Bill 88 also set a procedure for local political parties to fill school board vacancies. It also made changes to some small town elections. TRICIA COTHAM'S MOM: Democratic county commissioner speak about daughter's change

PENALTIES FOR RIOTING

Cotham and a majority of Democrats voted in February against House Bill 40, which increases penalties for the crimes of rioting or inciting a riot. Six Democrats voted for the measure. Gov. Roy Cooper let the bill become law without his signature, citing concerns about the First Amendment and “disparate impacts on communities of color.” The 75-43 vote count in the House would have been enough to override a veto. HOUSE BILL 2 Cotham in 2016 voted against House Bill 2, which reversed a Charlotte ordinance that protected transgender people who use public restrooms based on their gender identity. It required people to use the bathroom in public facilities that matched the gender on their birth certificate. “Don’t tell me this #HB2 is to save women and children. Disingenuous,” she wrote in a tweet at the time. The N.C. General Assembly repealed the bill and approved a compromise measure after its passage resulted in nationwide backlash and economic losses for the state.

Charlotte’s gun violence toll since 2021: At least 73 kids, teens shot; 33 were killed

Because CMPD and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office doesn't keep records on young victims of violent crime, the Charlotte Observer got to work and should be commended for taking on the task. 

The final tally may not surprising but the numbers are truly sobering. 73 kids shot - 33 Died in just the last 27 months and that's nuts.

Below is a list of victims under the age of 18

 2021 

Jan. 19, 2:35 p.m., Hilo Drive: An Unnamed 7-year-old was injured when someone fired into multiple residences, a CMPD report says. 

Feb. 6, 10:57p.m., E. WT Harris Blvd: 16-year-old Khalil Sifford was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head, according to an incident report. 

Feb. 18, 10:59 p.m., Nigel Court: An Unnamed 7-year-old was injured when someone shot into his bedroom, according to an incident report. 

March 30, 3:14 p.m., Hovis Road: An Unnamed 15-year-old and Unnamed 16-year-old were shot by two unknown assailants. 

March 30, 7 p.m., Marble Street: 7-year-old Zionna was hit by gunfire when two groups began shooting at each other. Police thought the incident was connected to the earlier Hovis Road shooting, according to WCCB Charlotte. 

March 31, 9:55 p.m., Oak Meadow Court: An Unnamed 7-year-old was shot when someone broke into his home. 

April 10, 3:02 p.m., Tuckaseegee Road: According to an incident report, someone shot Unnamed  two 15-year-olds and fired into a house. One 15-year-old died while the other was injured. An infant and two 16-year-olds were also threatened but not injured. 

April 28, 2:31 a.m., Rose Ridge Place: 16-year-old Marcqueon Goodman was hospitalized after a drive-by shooting and later died. An incident report notes that Goodman was injured, but the report narrative only says that suspects broke into a vehicle. 

May 13, 9:23 p.m., Allen Street: 16-year-old Jeremiah Woodard-Pegues was found dead east of uptown Charlotte. One minor and one adult were charged in his death. 

May 21, 12:38 p.m., S. Tryon Street: 16-year-old Elijah Riggan was found dead near a gas station. His mother told WBTV that Riggan’s father, Delroy, was also murdered in 2009. 

June 5, 5:01 p.m., Isaac Hunter Drive: An Unnamed 1-year-old was hit by gunfire when someone shot into a vehicle. Two 7-year-olds and one 4-year-old were also present but not injured. 

June 10, 8:09 p.m., Carlyle Drive: An Unnamed child was hospitalized after being struck by gunfire, FOX 46 Charlotte reported. An incident report says a 1-year-old had minor injuries and an An Unnamed adult had sustained a gunshot wound. Two other children were present but uninjured. 

June 14, 3:15 p.m., Fairwood Avenue: An Unnamed 17-year-old and An Unnamed14-year-old were shot, according to an incident report. 

July 4, 3:41 p.m., Remount Road: Three minors were shot at while sitting in a vehicle, an incident report says. 17-year-old Trevell Moore was transported to Atrium Main with injuries and later died. 

July 24, 9 a.m., Flint Street: An Unnamed 14-year-old reportedly found a gun outdoors and fired it, injuring his Unnamed 12-year-old brother. 

Aug. 10, 8:28 p.m., Bevington Woods Lane: An Unnamed 7-year-old and his Unnamed father were injured after a 2-year-old accidentally discharged a gun, according to WSOC-TV. 

Aug. 16, 2:06 p.m., Long Ridge Lane: An Unnamed 4-year-old was injured in an accidental shooting. A 33-year-old was charged for failing to properly store firearms, The Observer reported. 

Sept. 5, 6:15 p.m., Trinity Road: 16-year-old An Unnamed died after being shot. An Unnamed 14-year-old was charged for shooting Foster and two others. 

Sept. 7, 11:44 p.m., Richard Rozzelle Drive: Approximately 150 rounds were fired into two residences, resulting in the death of 3-year-old Asiah Figueroa and An Unnamed 4-year-old being injured. 

Sept. 12, 11:26 a.m., Pressley Road: 17-year-old Jamir Suarez was found dead in a park. 

Sept. 20, 6:12 p.m., E Independence Blvd: A 19-year-old fired shots at another vehicle, resulting in his Unnamed 1-year-old child being grazed in the head and An Unnamed 15-year-old being shot in the leg. 

Oct. 12, 11:58 p.m., Fairwood Avenue: 15-year-old Daliamontray Strothers, Jr. died in the hospital after being shot. Two people were charged with firing into an occupied dwelling, according to WCCB. 

Oct. 28, 7:42 p.m., Quail Meadow Lane: An Unnamed 17-year-old was shot during an altercation. A 15-year-old was also present but not injured. 

Nov. 3, 5:14 a.m., McAlpine Glen Drive: 17-year-old Moises Hernandez called for help after being shot in the back, according to an incident report. He later died of his injuries. 

Nov. 6, 12:35 a.m., intersection of N. Tryon and W. WT Harris: 17-year-old Juan Ramirez was hospitalized after a shooting. He later died of his injuries. 

Nov. 27, 1:23 p.m., Olando Street: 14-year-old Vanessa Santos Garcia was fatally shot by her 18-year-old boyfriend in their shared home. The boyfriend, who claimed he discharged the gun while cleaning it, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and statutory rape according to WSOC. Family members alleged the Unnamed boyfriend was abusive. 

Dec. 7, Carlyle Drive: Two Unnamed Harding University High School students were grazed by bullets, according to WSOC.

2022 

Jan. 24, 7:48 p.m., Edsdale Place: An Unnamed 16-year-old was shot multiple times in the chest by a family member, according to an incident report. 

Jan. 31, 4:20 p.m., W. Sugar Creek Road: Someone fired into an shopping center resulting in An Unnamed 11-year-old being injured, according to an incident report. 

Feb. 11, 12:19 a.m., Charleston Place Lane: An Unnamed 17-year-old called for help after someone walked up and shot him, an incident report says. Two bullets entered his home where his family members were present. 

Feb. 18, 10:39 p.m., Mallard Park Drive: 15-year-old Martin Solano-Tashpulatova was shot by another teen. He later died of his injuries. His mother told WBTV she thought her son was planning to meet up with someone when he was shot. An Unnamed 15-year-old was eventually charged. 

March 14, 6:14 a.m., Copper Creek Court: An Unnamed 16-year-old Garinger High student was shot while walking to school, according to WBTV. 

March 15, 6:16 p.m., intersection of Fairwood and Baltimore Avenues: Kyrin Parker, age 14, and a An Unnamed 13-year-old were shot in the Southside Homes area. Parker would later die at the hospital. He attended Randolph Middle School, The Observer reported. 

March 26, 2:42 p.m., Sunset Road: 10-year-old Cherish Murphy was seriously injured when someone opened fire at a car wash. 

March 28, 10:31 a.m., Oakdale Road: An Unnamed 16-year-old was shot in the hand during an altercation with two other people, an incident report says. Another juvenile was injured and three people were charged for robbery, according to WCNC. 

March 29, 11:35 a.m., intersection of Franklin Avenue and Olando Street: 17-year-old Tre Avery was shot multiple times. He would later die of his injuries at the hospital. An Unnamed 14-year-old was charged for the murder, The Observer reported. 

March 30, 2:53 p.m., Northstream Drive: An Unnamed16-year-old was hospitalized after being shot in the chest. April 30, 5:35 p.m., Wyalong Drive: Two teens fired multiple shots near a convenience store as seen on surveillance footage, resulting in another teen being injured. 

May 17, 12:01 p.m., Deep Rock Circle: A shooting occurred in an apartment complex, resulting in an 9-year-old being injured. The child’s injuries were non-life-threatening, according to WBTV. 

May 29, 5:35 p.m., First Run Court: Officers responded to a report of “an assault with a deadly weapon.” 15-year-old John Morales had been shot by two other teens. He later passed from his injuries. 

June 4, 11:48 a.m., Leake Street: 17-year-old Andy Hernandez was shot by two other teens. He passed away on the scene. His family told WBTV that they’re now pushing to end gun violence. As of July 20, they were raising money for his funeral. 

June 21, 8:19 p.m., Branchview Drive: Police say they received a call that a shootout was in progress. At least one teenager, who police identified as Jeferson Landaverde, died. He was 16.

June 25, 8:12 p.m., Wallace Road: Q’arysnn Maske, 1-year-old, died from a gunshot wound to the head after “a firearm was accidentally discharged,” an incident report says. Her 7-year-old brother, who was holding her, was shot in the hand. Maske’s mother told WSOC that a family friend was supervising children at the home, and one child fired the gun. Child Protective Services and the Child Development Community Policing program were working with the family, police said. 

June 27, 1:30 p.m., Holly Street: Two groups of people outside a residence started shooting at each other resulting in “numerous victims,” police say. Among them were an Unnamed1-year-old and an Unnamed16-year-old. A police report says that a 15-year-old also had minor injuries, though it is unclear if they were shot. 

July 7, 6:54 a.m., Sofley Road: Someone called police to report a death in the area. Police found 17-year-old Vladimir Antonio-Garcia with a gunshot wound. 

July 8, 2:52 a.m., Patriots Place Drive: Aalayah Fulmore, 13, was shot in the abdomen by a stray bullet that was fired into her bedroom from the parking lot outside her mother’s apartment. She spent months in the hospital. 

July 28, 2:57 a.m., Silver Arrow Road: An Unnamed15-year-old boy was hospitalized after being shot by an unknown person. 

Aug. 29, 6:48 p.m., Wallace Road: A four-year-old was injured in a drive-by shooting at his home. 

Oct. 13, 7:54 p.m., Old Providence Road: A 15-year-old and 16-year-old were hospitalized after being shot by someone who also shot into a nearby vehicle and business, police said. 

Nov. 2, 7:27 p.m., Charleston Place Lane: Police were dispatched to the home of 4-year-old Demario Warren after a call for medical assistance. Demario died from a gunshot. His father was charged for involuntary manslaughter and improper firearm storage. 

Nov. 15, 7 p.m., Griers Grove Road: 17-year-old Damien Gonzalez was shot and killed in Fred Alexander Park. Two minor-aged suspects were charged with murder and other crimes, police said. 

Nov. 30, 2:35 p.m., Lanza Drive: 17-year-old Nazhir Taylor died after getting shot shortly after exiting a school bus. Police arrested a minor-aged suspect on attempted first-degree murder and other charging, stating they intended to seek a first-degree murder charge. 

Dec. 21, Westwinds Court: A 13-year-old was shot in the chest by another minor. The weapon involved was a “ghost gun,” or a gun without serial numbers. Drug and weapon law charges were issued.

2023 

Jan. 1, shortly after midnight, Moretz Avenue: On New Year’s Day, officers were responded to a call about a shooting and discovered found 5-year-old Lyric Thomas dead. A preliminary investigation found the shooting was accidental, according to a press release. 

Jan. 22, 11:32 a.m., William Reynolds Drive: A 15-year-old was fatally shot before noon by a 16-year-old. At a press conference the following day, police said the teens were “playing” with the gun before the shooting. 

Feb. 12, 4 p.m., Coriander Court: 15-year-old Steven Gomez was shot while playing a video game, WSOC reported. Kendal Edward Morris, 32 was charged with involuntarily manslaughter. 

Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Lynn Street: An Unnamed17-year-old died when a car drove up and opened fire on a group of people. 

March 19, The Plaza: 16-year-old Jareese Florybert and one other person were fatally shot. A 16-year-old was charged with murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. 

March 24, 1:30 a.m., Flagler Lane: An Unnamed13-year-old boy was taken to the hospital with a leg injury after multiple gunshots into his home.

Emily Ann Sellers Wall In Memoriam

You can scroll through a thousand faces of those arrested in Charlotte and few will ever stand out like that of Emily Wall.

And so it is that we take a moment to note the passing of Emily Ann Sellers Wall.

At this point is would be appropriate to insert a nice photo of Emily but sadly there are only mugshots.

Her obituary was to the point and done so in less than 100 words.

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, Emily Ann Wall, 32, passed away at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Main in Charlotte, NC.

Emily was born June 28, 1990, in Moore County, NC, and was the daughter of the late Lori Ann Sellers. She was a graduate of Anson High School and had worked as a grocery store clerk.

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, James Dillon Sellers of Monroe, and her grandparents, James and Margaret Sellers of Wadesboro.

 A private service for the family will be at the Anson Memorial Park columbarium.

What is not said it that she was found unresponsive transported by medic and declared deceased by CMC Main doctors.

From November 23, 2020 Cedar Posts:

Local "Meth Queen" Emily Wall is back in Mecklenburg County Jail. CP's guess is that this is her 27th arrest and 29th stay at the McFadden Hilton. 

Is there not someone who can get this girl some help? I know Black Lives Matter and all that but could someone make an exception? 

At 30 she's really got a lot of living to do. 

But it would be sad if she spent it living in crack houses and on the street. Isn't there a judge that will say "no release until you're clean and sober, employed and in some sort of re-hab program". 

Or is Charlotte just going to join Portland and say oh well it's OK if some people are druggies?

Just Another Oh Damn Momment

You know you're driving along a little faster than normal then out of nowhere is a freaking pedestrian 2 hours after dark walking on the wrong side of the road and wearing all black. 

You see anyone in the picture below?

How about now?

Yep Oh DAMN! 

Keep in mind I'm running below the speed limit with Xenon HID 6000K headlights and Lexus adaptive feature which actually turns the headlights towards the direction of the turn.

Death by stupid was just 24 inches away. I swear she must be a cat because she absolutely used up one of her nine lives. The only thing white she had on were some Nike shoes and Apple ear buds.

Damn People! Stop doing this level of stupid!

Charlotte Domestic Terrorist Arrested In Atlanta

Charlotte Native Facing Terrorism Charges In Attack On Atlanta Police Training Site

ATLANTA, GA — 23 people are facing domestic terrorism charges for violent attack on a public safety training facility in Atlanta. Charlotte native, James Marsicano, is one of the 23.

Authorities said “violent agitators” attacked Atlanta police officers and construction equipment with Molotov cocktails, commercial-grade fireworks, bricks and large rocks.

Marsicano was arrested on Sunday and booked into jail Monday morning.

According to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office website, 29-year-old Marsicano has been arrested five times in Mecklenburg County from June 2020 through September 2020. His Charges range from assault on a campus police officer, resisting an officer, and trespassing.

From the Local Paper:

Georgia authorities arrested and charged a Charlotte activist — and 22 others — with domestic terrorism after the group breached a proposed police and fire training center in Atlanta Sunday. 

DeKalb County police records show the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Jamie Marsicano, a longtime local activist, with a group of protesters who infiltrated the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center — dubbed “Cop City by its opponents. 

Those arrested are accused of throwing bricks, flaming Molotov cocktails and fireworks at equipment and police, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Marsicano’s last name was misspelled on various police records, which also appear to use the incorrect gender identity. 

In a biography published previously on The Funambulist, Marscicano wrote they are “a white trans femme organizer in Charlotte who is fiercely committed to supporting Black trans femmes, prison abolition, and destabilizing all forms of oppression.” 

Marsicano is listed as a second-year law student and dean fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marsicano has an undergraduate degree from Brown University and worked with The Bail Project, an organization that distributes money to help people in poverty post bail.

Mariscano was a core organizer for Charlotte Uprising, a group that led police brutality protests in 2020, and one of two activists who turned themselves in for charges related to the protests over George Floyd’s killing by Minnesota police. 

WHAT IS ‘COP CITY’? 

The proposed center is a $90 million, 85-acre training space, according to the Atlanta Police Foundation. It will include classrooms, a shooting range, a mock city and a driving course. 

The project will also “hyper-militarize law enforcement,” according to the Defend the Atlanta Forest Movement. 

It will jeopardize the South River Forest and its surrounding Black and Hispanic communities, according to a letter a coalition of environmental groups sent to the Atlanta City Council. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in late January the tract is filled with rubble and overgrown with invasive species from when it was cleared for a former state prison farm decades ago. 

The first phase of the center, funded by the Atlanta Police Foundation according to city officials, is expected to open later this year. 

DOMESTIC TERRORISM CHARGES 

Police detained 35 of Sunday’s protesters, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations charged all 23 arrestees with domestic terrorism.

In January, seven people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism and criminal trespass the same day one protester — Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, also known as “Tortuguita” — was shot and killed by police, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. 

Officers found Tortuguita inside a tent when he suddenly shot one trooper in the abdomen after ignoring officers’ verbal commands, according the GBI. Last year, police arrested and charged five people with domestic terrorism and other charges after they committed “violent acts and trespassing” at the site, according to the GBI.

As of 5:00 PM DeKalb County Sheriff was still holding Marscicano

Eastway Division Fatal Hit and Run

The "Official" City of Charlotte statement on last Wednesday's attempted traffic stop that resulted in the loss of another innocent citizen:

Fatal Hit & Run Crash Investigation in the Eastway Division

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash in the Eastway Division.

CMPD Public Affairs cmpdpio@cmpd.org 3/6/2023

​Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, March 6, 2023) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Major Crash Investigation Unit are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash in the Eastway Division.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 7:34 pm, a CMPD officer attempted to stop a 2007 Mercedes S550 for a registration violation on N. Sharon Amity Road near Central Ave. 

The vehicle failed to stop and fled in a reckless manner, striking two vehicles near the intersection of N. Sharon Amity Rd and Tarrywood Ln.  

Upon arriving at the crash scene, officers located the 2007 Mercedes-Benz with extensive damage, a 1998 Toyota Camry flipped onto its roof, and a damaged 2021 Chevrolet Spark in the roadway. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was not on scene and fled on foot. 

The driver and passenger of the Toyota were transported to Atrium Main with serious injuries. At 8:17 p.m., the passenger of the Toyota, Binh Ha Nguyen (DOB 04/04/1954), was pronounced deceased. Mr. Nguyen's next of kin has been notified of his death. The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to Atrium University with minor injuries.

This is an active, ongoing investigation.  As further information develops it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.  

Any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information concerning the crash, should contact Detective Jamieson at (704) 432-2169 Ext# 3 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600. The public can also visit the Crime Stoppers website at http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.   The report number for this case is 20230301-1934-02.

Cedar's Take: Boots on the street can't catch a break. Follow policy people get killed and the bad guys get away. Don't follow policy catch the bad guys but there's still little doubt there's a good chance innocent people are going to get killed.

The level of lawlessness in Charlotte is insane. I can not pull up to a traffic light and not see at least one expired or fake tag. 

The number of people some on Charlotte City Council who think we should just leave people alone is shocking. There are at least 3 members of Charlotte City Council besides Braxton Winston who think CMPD should not make traffic stops for expired tags.

Seriously what the hey is going on here?

File this under just STUPID

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is looking for a man awaiting a murder trial after he reportedly removed his ankle monitor early Tuesday morning.

Willie James, 33, was originally placed on the ankle-monitoring system in 2018 when he was charged with killing 25-year-old Matthew Duke Gibbons in front of a northwest Charlotte home. He was also charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.