CMPD Sees Disturbing Trend in Teen Violent Crime

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte has seen 16 homicides this year, down from 28 the same time last year. But there’s a disturbing trend hidden inside those numbers.

CMPD says there are teen suspects in seven of the 2018 homicides. With three of those suspects just 15 years old.

“A kid makes that decision,” says Lt. Susan Manassah. “I guarantee they would want to take that back.”

But kids, especially teens, are making the wrong decisions.

A 15-year-old was involved in the murder of a 36-year-old single mother during a robbery on Barrington Drive on April 3rd. And it was a 15-year-old found with a gun, driving a stolen vehicle, at Garinger High School on Monday.

Police say he, another 15-year-old and 17-year-old Tavone Smith were involved in the robbery and killing of a 26-year-old man on Wembley Drive last Friday.

“Let’s not fool ourselves that 15 and 16-year-olds can’t do acts of violence,” says Chief Kerr Putney.

“It’s kids robbing people, either for drugs or money, so that they can do whatever it is that they need with that money,” says Manassah.

CMPD’s Juvenile Post Offender Strategic Team, or J-POST, identifies repeat offenders, and tries to help steer them away from trouble. 700 juveniles are diverted from the legal system each year in an effort to keep them from more serious trouble.

“The decisions that they make today effect them for the rest of their lives,” says CMPD Officer Matthew Teague. “And try to get them to make better decisions every day.”

“We’re trying to do our policing with passion, and empathy and understanding,” says Putney. “We are not letting anybody off the hook.”

“From their perspective, this has almost become a norm,” says John Martin with the Young Black Leadership Alliance. “And for us a community, that should be frightening.”

There are groups in the Charlotte community striving to change the narrative. Martin and the YBLA try to identify, educate and develop young people who can reach back and mentor others to make the right choices.

“Our job is really to help them, empower them to become successful leaders,” says Martin. “And then allow them to impact and influence others.”

A recent study found that about 14% of all serious violent crimes involved a juvenile offender. In about half of those, more than one offender was involved.