Charlotte faced a somber close to 2024 and an equally grim start to 2025. Over just two days, the city witnessed four homicides, adding to an already tragic year where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police investigated more than 100 murders linked to gun violence.

Here’s a breakdown of the incidents that left the city shaken:

Timeline of Tragedy

• Sunday, Dec. 29, Afternoon Incident:
  Around 1 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting in the 3200 block of Nobles Avenue, close to Billy Graham Parkway. They found 18-year-old Jordyn Decedric Campbell, who had suffered a gunshot wound. Sadly, Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene.
• Sunday, Late Evening Shooting:
  At approximately 11 p.m., another shooting was reported in the 7800 block of University City Boulevard, a bustling area just east of I-85. Police found three people with gunshot wounds. Among them, 35-year-old Wonah Abu-Baby Konte Jr. succumbed to his injuries at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.
• Monday, Dec. 30, Evening Violence:
  Just after 9:15 p.m., officers discovered 33-year-old Diondre Bittle shot to death in the 8200 block of Dave McKinney Avenue. This location lies close to the site of the University City Boulevard incident.
• Monday Night, Fourth Victim Found:
  Less than an hour later, authorities found 31-year-old Cameron Lackey in the 10300 block of Old Camden Road, about 17 miles east of uptown Charlotte. Lackey had also been fatally shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Grim Start to the New Year

The violence did not stop as the calendar turned to 2025. On New Year’s Day, police reported two separate shootings in west Charlotte, both leaving victims with life-threatening injuries.

• Shooting at Mr. C’s Restaurant:
  One of the shootings occurred on West Morehead Street, near I-77, at Mr. C’s restaurant.
• Incident on Remount Road:
  The second shooting took place on Remount Road, close to West Boulevard.

The names of these victims have not been released.

Other Recent Violent Events

The wave of violence follows a high-profile officer-involved shooting on Saturday, Dec. 28. Outside Coyote Joe’s nightclub on Wilkinson Boulevard, police shot and killed 28-year-old Lucas Armstrong, who worked as a security guard at the venue.

Armstrong had been holding a gun to his head, according to police radio traffic, leading an officer to perceive an imminent deadly threat. While the department has provided minimal details, they have confirmed the officer’s response was based on this perceived threat.

Charlotte’s Struggle with Gun Violence

Charlotte’s surge in gun violence reflects a growing challenge for the community and law enforcement. With over 100 homicides investigated in 2024, the city grapples with the devastating toll on families and neighborhoods.

While the specific motivations behind these incidents remain unclear, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department continues its investigations. Authorities urge residents to come forward with any information that could assist in solving these crimes.

Calls for Community Action

Community leaders and residents alike are calling for urgent action to address the root causes of gun violence. Increased community engagement, access to mental health resources, and stricter gun control measures are among the proposed solutions to curb this alarming trend.

As Charlotte enters 2025, the hope for a safer and more peaceful city resonates deeply among its citizens.