The CMPD Win That Wasn't

Wrapping up January, CMPD's POI bragged about the excellent work Officers in Metro and the CGST (Crime Gun Suppression Team) did to round up the bad guys:

Great work to highlight by CMPD’s Crime Gun Suppression Team (CGST) and Metro Division after their investigation led to the recovery of 8 firearms and the arrest of the suspects involved in two Shooting into Occupied Dwelling (SIOD) incidents where more than 200 rounds were fired.

CGST and Metro Division Detectives were able to identify the suspects, the vehicles that were involved in these shootings and recover three firearms. 

After locating the first suspect vehicle, detectives found spent shell casings and worked with CMPD’s Crime Lab to confirm a match from the SIOD incidents. 

They were able to locate a second suspect vehicle with two passengers and make a stop before a search led to the discovery of additional spent shell casings and narcotics. 

Detectives completed a search warrant on the previous location of the passengers, Robert Mason, 19, and Karnell Lawrence, 24, and located an additional three handguns and two rifles. 

The CMPD Crime Lab once again confirmed that the shell casings found in the vehicle were a match to the shell casings that were found on the scenes of the two SIODs.

Throughout this investigation the combined teamwork between the Metro Division, the Crime Lab and the CGST led to the arrests of violent offenders as well as the recovery of multiple firearms before they could be used in another act of violence.

For more information, please refer to report number: 20250103-1256-03 and 
20250103-0015-02.

On the surface this looks does indeed look like "great" work by CMPD. Two violent thugs off the streets and locked up.

Sadly nothing could be further from the truth. 

Mason was released within a few hours on a written promise to appear, Lawrence was released on an unsecured bond within 48 hours.

What am I missing?

The trouble is that regardless of the work that the boots on the street do. the Mecklenburg DA and Courts will always undo.

Both Mason and Lawrence were charged with only a misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon charges. Both released on either a written promise to appear or an unsecured bond even though both gave Virginia Beach addresses and will likely be no shows when their court date rolls around.

This is total smoke and mirrors. Just a huge nothing burger as neither will actually see a courtroom since the charges will most likely be dismissed.

Still I'm reading this thinking I must be wrong, clearly they must have been charged with something beyond the seriousness of a parking ticket? Maybe they arrested so many people they only had time to name two? Maybe they arrested juveniles and can't name them, or maybe just didn't want to ruin their lives? 

(Then there's the email they suggests that if I really back'd the blue I'd lighten up.)

Here's the Officer affidavit:

On 01/03/2025 at approximately 1300 hours detectives located blue Hyundai Sante Fe displaying Virginia tag:TJF6477 parked at gas station on Glenwood Drive. 

This vehicle matched the description of shooting into occupied dwelling (SIOD) suspect vehicle that occurred the night prior (20250103-0015-02). Detectives would observe three individuals exit the gas station and get into the Hyundai and drive away. 

Detectives then followed the vehicle until the helicopter could get over head. Detectives then executed vehicle apprehension on the Hyundai to prevent the Hyundai from fleeing at 109 Hoskins Rd. 

Detectives detained all of the occupants from the vehicle: Karnell Lawrence-Driver Alexis Degroat-Front seat Passenger Robert Mason-Rear passenger side Detectives frisked the vehicle for weapons and located three firearms concealed in the Hyundai. 

One firearm was concealed under the driver's seat, which was Glock 19 9mm (Serial# PMU004) loaded with round in the chamber. 

Another firearm was concealed in the center console which was Taurus G2C 9mm (Serial# ABE556278) loaded with live round in the chamber. 

The third firearm was concealed under the front passenger seat on the rear closest to MASON who was sitting in the rear passenger seat, which was Glock 19 9mm(Serial# BWYK500). 

Detectives also observed spent shell casing in the trunk of the Hyundai. Crime Scene was then requested to process the vehicle related to the SIOD.

The defendant, Robert Mason, is being charged with CCW-gun for the firearm concealed

under the seat directly in front of him, Glock 19 9mm (BWYKS500) handgun.

The affidavit for Lawrence reads the same.

Cedar's Take:

Add up the resources and costs, helo, crime scene, Officers, Detectives, wreckers, courts, MCSO, and the best we can come up is a misdemeanor.  200 rounds fired into occupied homes and this is the best we can do? Please tell me where I'm wrong?

And this is just one of two dozen cases I've been told about in the last year. Look are the Romare Bearden Park shooter. Or the Juneteenth shooting. Bragging about these non-events makes CMPD look like the Joe Biden of police departments.