Charlotte Police Confirm Four Homicides in One Violent Weekend

UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has confirmed four homicides in less than **24 hours**, with the latest incident occurring early Sunday morning at **Coyote Joe’s**, a popular venue in west Charlotte.

At approximately **1:25 a.m.**, off-duty officers responded to gunfire in the parking lot of Coyote Joe’s, located in the **4600 block of Wilkinson Blvd**. They discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The violence marks a brutal start to the weekend, with three other fatalities reported just hours earlier.

“This has been a particularly, and tragically, violent weekend in Charlotte with **four homicides in less than 24 hours**. That’s four victims, that’s four families who are grieving,” stated Major **Dave Johnson** of the CMPD. The first incident transpired around **5 p.m. on Saturday**, involving two fatal shootings, one in the **5600 block of North Graham Street** and another in the **100 block of Park Fairfax Drive**.

Major Johnson emphasized the department’s commitment to justice: “Know that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is working hard in every one of these cases to bring closure and bring justice to these families that are hurting and grieving this weekend over senseless, unnecessary violence.”

This alarming spike in violence comes after the CMPD Fraternal Order of Police requested **federal assistance** earlier this month, citing **15 killings** in the city since the tragic death of Ukrainian refugee **Iryna Zarutska** on the light rail. Zarutska was killed in an incident that raised serious concerns about public safety in Charlotte, prompting calls for increased support from federal and National Guard forces.

Residents are urged to come forward with any information regarding these incidents. Tips can be reported to a CMPD detective at **704-432-8477** or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at **704-334-1600**.

As the city grapples with this surge in violence, officials are calling for immediate action and community involvement to ensure safety and justice for the victims and their families. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as investigations continue.

Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this developing story.