CMPD: Charlotte shootings into homes are rampant
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department investigated more than 900 shootings into occupied properties last year.
Why it matters: CMPD fears these shootings, which can traumatize entire neighborhoods, are becoming normalized.
"Imagine someone shooting 12, 10, one round, one round through your living room, into your child's bedroom, into your television, into your personal space," Major Bret Balamucki says. "How do you carry that? How do you go to sleep that night?"
By the numbers: According to CMPD's annual report, there were 932 investigations at crime scenes involving shootings into occupied properties in 2024. The figure represents a decline from 2023 but is higher than in years before that.
2023: 1,306
2022: 826
2021: 569
Flashback: In December, a Charlotte Mecklenburg School bus carrying children was shot at during an alleged drug-related dispute. No one was hit by gunfire.
In September, a 2-year-old girl was struck and seriously injured by a bullet that pierced through the wall of her apartment while she was asleep.
Most of these shootings are drive-bys targeting individuals, Balamucki says. However, suspects often shoot into multiple homes, harming several victims.
What's next: CMPD is launching a pilot program called CMPD Switch (Safety Wellness Initiative Towards Community Households) to allocate more resources and investigators to these crimes.
CMPD will offer cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest of suspects for shootings into homes. Tips can be shared anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
"These callous shootings will not be tolerated," Balamucki says. "Our investigators will find those responsible and hold them accountable."
Go deeper: Is Charlotte becoming unsafe? We asked the top 3 local law enforcement officers
Why Charlotte police are driving around with their blue lights on
Charlotte police to expand successful civilian crash response program
CMPD cracks down on street takeovers
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