CMPD PIO Short Staffed or Incompetency?

Charlotte's first homicide of 2026 went unsolved for nearly 6 weeks or so the public was led to believe. 

Interestingly enough the suspect Taylen Jermon Barbour age 21 was charged with the murder of Kishmere Wright on January 27th, 3 weeks after the shooting took place. CMPD issued an update announcing the arrest on Friday February 1, 2026.

So why did it take CMPD 17 days before making a formal statement? Are they short staffed or just incompetent?  Or what are they hiding?

Taylen Jermon Barbour Age 21 Photo Courtesy MCSO

With a new Police Chief comes continued lack of transparency, deepening obfuscation and shameless promotion of Vi Lyles “by and large Charlotte is a safe city” mantra, that she put into play after the violent stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska. 

Just proves how far Charlotte has fallen under the guidance of liberal politicians.

The courts and the DA we know are a train wreck. Barbour had more than 2 dozen arrests more the 60 charges when he committed this murder.

Despite dozens of dismissed cases he was finally convicted in 2023 then 3 more convictions all resulting in probation. Finally the fifth auto theft resulted in jail time of 8 months, once released a probation violation resulted in additional active time of 9 months. Finally released from jail on September 28, 2025. He simply progressed from simple shoplifting to ever more violent crimes. A totally predictable pattern we see again and again.

Kissmere Wright Age 24 Photo Courtesy MCSO

Kishmere Wright was jailed in January of 2025 and again in May of 2025 he was convicted on weapons violations and the drug charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to unsupervised probation by Mecklenburg County Judge Roy Wiggins in August of last year.

Both their records once again providing incarceration saves lives. 

CMPD Charging Affidavit

On Monday January 5, 2026, at approximately 7:04pm, officers from the Metro Division responded to the 3000 block of Carol Avenue in reference to an assault with deadly weapon with injury call for service. When officers arrived, they located the victim, Kishmere Wright, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at 7:19pm hours by Medic 25.

This case is being investigated as homicide under complaint numbers 2026-0105-1904-00.

Witness at the location stated the victim received phone call, and he was overheard telling someone he was coming outside. The victim goes outside and is shot short time later.

The last call the victim received was from This person is listed in the victim's phone as "Trouble".

A search of the victim's phone showed him in constant communication with the number.

The victim started sharing his live location with that number about 40 minutes before the incident.

The victim receives call from that number at 6:39pm, and he is overheard saying that he was coming outside and that he had some weed.

On, January 8th, 2026, Detectives requested call detail records (CDRs)

On, January 23rd, Detectives received an anonymous tip stating that the shooter was Taylen Barbour, B/M 7/25/2004, and his phone number was (Redacted). The tipster confirmed that Barbour's nickname was Trouble".

On January 23rd, Detectives received the call detail records for (Redacted).

The records detail numerous correspondences to Taylen Barbour. Additionally the location data shows movement towards the victim's location once he started sharing his live location with (Redacted) The location placed the phone in the vicinity of the scene when the victim received his last phone call.

Taylen Barbour was charged and convicted of Larceny of Motor Vehicle on 4/2023.

Detectives believe there is probable cause to charge Taylen Barbour with Possession of Firearm by Felon and the Murder of Kishmere Wright.