CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says three officers were injured and 18 people were arrested or issued citations in Uptown Charlotte on New Year’s Eve.
On Sunday, December 31, 2023, thousands of individuals rang in the New Year in Uptown Charlotte at a city-sanctioned event. The CMPD provided support for the event with more than 80 officers patrolling that area and surrounding areas. There were no incidents or arrests made in the footprint of the official Uptown event.
Shortly after 11:30 p.m., officers who were patrolling Romare Bearden Park heard gunfire and rushed to the direction of the gunfire. Preliminary information indicates that the suspect was at Romare Bearden Park and in possession of a firearm when he discharged multiple rounds resulting in five victims sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, according to a news release. CMPD says all five victims were shot below the knee.
Using video technology, detectives were able to quickly provide officers on scene with a description of the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to CMPD’s Central Division to be interviewed by detectives.
See more details on the shooting here.
The suspect in this case has been identified as Daevion Crawford (DOB: 10/06/2004). At the completion of the interview with detectives, Mr. Crawford was charged with the following:
- 5 counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill
- 1 count of Going Armed to the Terror of the Public
Crawford was transported to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and given a $750,000 bond. That bond was increased to $1.5M following a court appearance on January 2nd.
Throughout the night, officers responded to multiple disturbances resulting in the arrest of 11 juveniles for their actions in the Uptown area. Subsequently, 6 parents/guardians of the arrested juveniles were cited and charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. CMPD says two firearms were seized by officers.
Charges for the arrested individuals include Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Going Armed to the Terror of the Public, Assault on Government Official, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting a Public Officer, and Possession of a Handgun by Minor.
A 15-year-old male who was involved in the disturbances was charged with Possession of a Handgun by Minor, No Operators License and Resisting a Public Officer, according to a news release. This juvenile suspect is accused of recently cutting off his Department of Juvenile Justice issued ankle monitor. Detectives attempted to obtain a secure custody order for the juvenile, however, the Department of Juvenile Justice denied the request and the male juvenile suspect was released into the custody of a family member. The juvenile suspect has a lengthy criminal history including multiple auto thefts, Resisting a Public Officer, Larceny from Auto, Breaking and Entering and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Two CMPD Officers were assaulted and suffered minor injuries. Additionally, one CMPD Officer suffered minor injuries when an unknown chemical substance was thrown at the officer.
The investigations into these incidents are active and ongoing and additional charges are pending. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
