2019 Homicide Count Climbs To 35 In Charlotte As Residents Gather To Honor Victims

CHARLOTTE, NC — There has been a spike in violence across the city as Charlotte’s homicide count climbs to 35 in just four months.

Dozens gathered in North Charlotte for a vigil to honor the latest victims. Will Adams with Team TruBlue, echoed what so many of us are thinking: enough is enough.

“The community is really crying out, and saying we’ve got to stop. Not just this side, but it’s all sides of Charlotte,” says Adams.

The latest homicide was reported Friday afternoon in Elizabeth.

CMPD says two people were walking along Morrow Street near Central Piedmont Community College and found the body of James Anderson. Police believe he lived at a nearby homeless camp.

“I think there’s clear indications at this point that it is a homicide,” says CMPD Lt. Brad Koch.

Police charged 50-year-old Tomka McDowell Friday with the murder of 71-year-old Santa Acevedo. The great-grandmother and her husband, Victor, were shot inside their home on Newland Road Wednesday. Acevedo’s family says Victor is in stable condition

McDowell is a habitual felon, according to state records. His arrest record dates back to 1986. It includes crimes like assault on a female, vehicle theft and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Last Thursday, 27-year-old Kendal Crank was shot and killed in crossfire. It happened at East 28th Street and North Tryon Street. Her family tells WCCB she was driving to nursing school when she was killed. She’s a mother to two young kids.

Three men have been charged in Crank’s murder.