SouthPark Marriott Scene of Charlotte's 118th Murder

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, shortly before 4 a.m., Providence Division officers responded to possible medical emergency call for service at the Marriott Hotel located at 2200 block Rexford Road. 

Upon arrival, officers located a male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Medic responded to the scene and transported the victim to Atrium Health Main with life-threatening injuries.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

CMPD identified the victim as 32-year-old Wilmer Ulises Olivas-Alvarez.

Officers located a person of interest on scene and transported that person to the Law Enforcement Center in Uptown.  At this time, officers are not currently looking for any other suspects.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department later stated that they arrested 41-year-old Danny Earl McGowan.

MCGOWAN, DANNY EARL DOB 5/1/1981 Photo Courtesy MCSO

McGowan has been charged with murder, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

McGowan has prior convictions in Mecklenburg County for burglary and a person with the same name appears in Virginia with a number of felonies. 

A search of McGowan shows a Marsh Road residence as well as other locations in Pineville and the Charlotte area as gives his profession as electrician.

According to CMPD the department's Homicide Unit detectives, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD's Operations Command, Victim Services, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team, Medic and the Charlotte Fire Department also assisted.

Cedar's Take: What the hell happened to the once five star The Park Hotel? The now 3 star dump has a nightly rate of $139.00 just slightly above Days Inn Airport. The shine has worn off of SouthPark much like the once iconic Morrison name. The sad decline of Charlotte continues. 

In Charlotte Life Is Cheap

Sometimes you just can't get your head around the crime in Charlotte.

According to CMPD they have arrested a person in connection with a fatal shooting in University City on Wednesday morning.

CMPD officers were called to an apartment complex at University Village Boulevard, where they found a male victim who had been shot at around 11 a.m.

Investigators say the victim, 28-year-old Cordarrius Donquay Harris, died from his injuries.

Donquay was a repeat felon with more that his fair share of arrests and convictions. He was facing a dozen charges on no less than two arrests made during the last year.

Needless to say he won't be making his required January 10th court appearance on domestic violence charges. 

Yet the charges his killer is facing are just as troubling.

On Thursday CMPD said 19-year-old Rohan Viresh Taskar was charged with voluntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

Taskar was already facing charges in Gaston and Catawba Counties, and was arrested by Huntersville PD on drug and weapons charges in 2021. 

Mecklenburg County DA Spencer Merriweather dismissed the Huntersville drug and weapons charges earlier this year.

Takar was convicted by an Iredell County court in 2021 of speeding to elude arrest resulting in a motor vehicle death. Then he convicted in June on this year of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon in Mecklenburg County. In both case he was given probation.

On Thursday a Mecklenburg County judge set his bond at $10,000.00. 

Cedar's Take: Kill two people inside 24 months, violate your probation, rack up a bunch of other charges and the Mecklenburg DA and Judges come up with minimal charges and your bond laughable. 

It may be that the reason for the voluntary manslaughter charge is that the victim and the shooter are connected. Perhaps both climbing in a window when there was an accidental discharge. Since it was during the B&E it was not murder rather voluntary manslaughter and that would explain the odd additional charges of B&E and Obstruction.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control Halts Owner Surrender

Unfortunate news item from the local television news station:

Because of overcrowding, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control is halting owner surrenders.

The shelter has been putting out desperate calls for adopters and fosters as kennels have continued to fill up more and more over the last year.

“On a day that we are happy to have 20 dog adoptions/fosters going out the door, at the same time we have 15 strays/owner surrenders coming in and sadly we see no light at the end of this very long tunnel,” said Melissa Knicely, Communications and Outreach Manager at AC&C in a press release.

At the time of the press release’s writing, the shelter had a total of 208 dogs at the shelter and 282 in their care total (including fosters and staycations).

“We simply do not have room for them,” said Dr. Fisher, Director of AC&C in the same release. “ACC officers are doing everything they can to get lost pets’ home in the community before bringing them into the shelter, but between lost dogs that we are unable to find an owner, long-term case dogs, and dogs that pose a public safety risk to our community, our kennels are at capacity.”

Those who have already booked an appointment to surrender their dog will be called to cancel the appointment and provided with other resources.

The shelter is running an adoption special for all animals through December 31: Adoptions are free with a monetary donation to any of the shelter’s programs.

To help combat overcrowding, the community is encouraged to spay and neuter their pets, make sure they’re microchipped and the registration is up-to-date, they always have an I.D. tag (provided free by AC&C, if you need one), and of course, foster or adopt a dog.

Want to learn how you can foster or adopt? Visit animals.cmpd.org or visit the shelter at 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte.

Cedar's Take: Let's get this out of the way - This is a cultural problem. A total lack of accountability and reliance on government help (AKA Free Stuff) has created this problem. 

Sidebar: Pit Bulls and their countless variations can be sweet lovable goof balls. Sadly much of their aggressive behavior is trained. But the breed is also "hard wired" just a much as Labrador Retrievers thanks to careful breeding.  

Yet the fact is 98 of 100 dogs up for adoption in Charlotte's AC&C operation are Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mix. 

And the reason is a segment of our population has this need to own a "bad dog" 

And neutering or spaying them is out of the question. 

Same with proper veterinary care and licenses and general ownership.

I can't imagine how someone "bags up" a litter of pups and drops them off at the front gate at CMPD's Animal Care and Control without a thought or care. 

Owner surrenders are just a nice way of saying ghetto dog owners who should have never owned a dog in the first place.

The push back is always the same: That's misinformation that's urban myth, but the numbers don't lie.

AC & C says they don't track information regarding owner surrenders. But CP hears that there are some people who are serial surrenderers. 

And so it goes that tax payers are let to foot the bill. Vet care spay/neuter food housing. Then lets point out that AC & C operates from basically the same size location and facility they have for years. Their budget has not kept pace with Charlotte.  

Yes there's talk of expansion but it is small compared to the need which is overwhelming.

What's needed is a culture change. If ghetto is you style fine but it should cost you and not the taxpayers. CP 

 

What's Up With the Rea Road Truck Stop?

Hey  @NCSHP @NCDOT @NCDOT_Charlotte @RoyCooperNC

What’s up with the “makeshift truck stop” at I-485 Outer Exit 59 Rea Road?

The other morning at 6am, 7 tractor trailers were parked on shoulder one barely off the pavement. It’s been going on for months. This is a residential area fix this! 

And yes, it is unlawful:

Stopping, standing, or parking any vehicle on any part of the right-of-way of interstates and other controlled-access highways (except in the case of an emergency, as directed by law enforcement, or at designated parking areas) is prohibited by statute and, therefore, does not need to be ordinance (20-140.3, 5).

Traffic is bad enough without these big rigs blocking the shoulder and as you can see the directional signs. 

Ceyonna Morris Murder Just Another Victim?

The standard CMPD press release gave the usual grim notice:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Saturday, December 17, 2022) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation near the 4300 block of Valeview Lane in the North Division.

Followed by a little more detail:

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, shortly before 5 p.m., North Division officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service in the 4300 block of Valeview Lane. Upon arrival, officers located a female victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Medic responded to the scene and transported the victim to Atrium Health Main.  The victim was pronounced deceased a short time after arriving at the hospital.

Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD's Operations Command, Victim Services, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team, Medic and the Charlotte Fire Department also assisted.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Dollar is the lead detective assigned to this case.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.  For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20221217-1656-01. 

The next morning:

Charlotte, N.C. – (Sunday, December 18, 2022) – The victim in this case has been identified as Ceyonna Morris (DOB: 06/02/2002). The victim's next of kin has been notified of her death.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Dollar is the lead detective assigned to this case.  

Normally just another sad number, now over 100 of Charlotte's mostly Black homicide victims. A day later the crime scene tape no longer flutters in the winter wind. The sun is out and while the temps are chilly there is a welcome warmth in the air. Life goes on.

But this one hits home. Ceyonna was a hairstylist and one of her employers a friend of Mrs. Cedar's. Ceyonna was also known as a voice that spoke out about CATS and bus routes a few years ago. She had presence, she was  a light and a spark that said I'll make a difference and change the world for the better. A future of unlimited potential stolen from us all.  

The justice system is broken violent felons terrorize our streets and kill our children our youth and our future. And Vi Lyles remains silent. 

Another Shooting at Northlake Mall

 According to local news 2 people were taken to a hospital after a shooting around 3 p.m. on Thursday at Northlake Mall.

The Starwood owned mall has been a never ending source of crime over the last several years.

Apparently a fight between the shooting victim and the suspect started inside the mall near Dillard’s, CMPD said. The suspect drew a gun and fired several shots, hitting two people, including an innocent bystander.

Witnesses said they heard a commotion from the second floor not far, from the food court entrance between Firebirds and H&M.

An on-duty CMPD officer assigned to the mall located the suspect and tried to detain him. The suspect dropped the gun and ran off. Officers caught up with the suspect and took him into custody. 

  

After the situation was under control, Northlake officials asked officers to walk through the mall to let everyone know about the incident and tell them there was no ongoing threat.

The shooting victim involved in the fight was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and was released Thursday night, a mall spokesperson said. The innocent bystander remains under care with non-life-threatening injuries.

Friday morning, officials announced that one of the victims had been released from the hospital.

There will be an increased police presence at the mall and counselors will be available as employees return, the spokesperson said.

“It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I would hope this type of activity would make people upset and worried all year round,” said CMPD Major Ryan Butler. “I would suggest any time you’re at a major public venue that you maintain situational awareness.”

Statement from Northlake Mall:

“Earlier this afternoon, Northlake Mall experienced an isolated shooter incident. The authorities were immediately contacted and the shooter was detained. There is no threat at this time. However, the mall will remain closed for the remainder of today. We are working with local authorities to better understand what transpired.”

On Friday CMPD confirmed that 3 suspects were arrested.

Xavior Grant Alexander DOB 10/31/2003 who was charged with AWDWIKISI and Attempted Murder.

and two additional males were also arrested:

Jadah Van Williams (DOB: 06/15/2001) – charged with assault

and an unnamed 17 year-old juvenile – charged with assault

Cedar's Take - Northlake is a mess. The demographic shift in Charlotte has turned the place into a cesspool of crime and a mecca of the drug trade. Which is good news for Concord Mills. Sadly Charlotte City Council re-zoning in favor of density saturation has driven the building of apartments versus single family homes. The oversupply has depressed rent roles and rental rates. Starwood has failed to address the problem and the end result will be another Eastland Mall. 

John Jacik Death - CMPD Officer Guilty of Misdemeanor Sentenced to One Year Unsupervised Probation

Local Television News Reporter Continues Her Excellent Play by Play Coverage of CMPD Officer Barker Trial via Twitter:

TRIAL FOR OFC. BARKER continues: Attorneys discussing “culpable negligence” with the judge. 

This is the term the jury asked for clarity on 

Judge will bring jury back in to get further explanation from them as to what they’re struggling with 

Jury asks to go back to the jury room to discuss how they want to clarify the specifics of their question 

The jury is back in court and they are putting an additional definition for culpable negligence on the screen for them to take notes on 

#BREAKING- Judge says jury has a verdict 

Jury: GUILTY of misdemeanor death by vehicle. 

Prosecutor: Family of Short not in court. "This has been extremely hard on them." 

Says John Jacik wanted to be here to speak but is not.

Defense: Says Barker is scheduled to be married December 28th. 

"He does regret what happened and is remorseful for what happened to the family... we still contend he was responding to a priority 1 call." 

Says he's never had driving disciplinary actions. 

Barker is speaking. Apologizes to the family, says he's been "on probation" for the past 5 years going job to job while he's been on unpaid leave from CMPD. 

Prosecutor: We offered Barker a plea deal 5 years ago, but this was his choice. 

Sentencing:

12 mos unsupervised probation

50 hours community service 

12 mos suspension drivers license