Firearm by Felons Gets Guns Off Charlotte Streets

In an effort to keep our city's streets as safe as possible, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police recently launched the Firearm by Felon program. Started in May of this year, the program targets convicted felons in possession of firearms. Firearm by Felon offers reward money for anonymous tips that lead to the recovery of illegal guns or the arrest of a felons with guns.

The program comes after statistics showed a rise in the number of felons arrested with guns.  In 2009 250 convicted felons were arrested with guns, as opposed to 319 last year. The ease with which felons can access firearms was disturbing to the department.  The theory is getting guns off the street will result in fewer armed robberies and other crimes associated with firearms, according to CMPD's Marty Cuthberson. 

Since the start of Firearm by Felon in May, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have recovered 12 guns and made seven arrests. By allowing members of the community to call in and work together with local law enforcement, Charlotte is a safer place to live.

The Firearm by Felon tip line is (704) 336-6000. Rewards of up to $500 are offered for information that leads to an arrest or recovery of guns.

Young Girl Killed in Accidental Shooting on Archdale Drive

Editors Note: Please let the following post encourage and remind you to double-check all of your firearm safety devices-- especially of you ever have children in your home!  The CMPD has a great safety resource page on their website and offer FREE gun locks to all citizens at each CMPD division office.
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Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Unit are conducting an investigation into a shooting which left a 4-year old girl dead on Archdale Drive at 1:22 this afternoon.

CMPD Steele Creek Division Officers responded to an apartment at the Highlands Apartment Complex to investigate reports of a shooting with injury.  Officers arrived on the scene to find the CFD and Medic treating a 4-year old girl for a gunshot wound.  She was transported to Carolinas Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.  

Homicide Detectives are in the process of interviewing the other young children and the adult who was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.  A total of 5 children, including the victim, were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting with ages ranging from 6 months to 11 years old.

Detectives charged Mr. Erin Melendez with Storing a Firearm in a Manner Accessible to a Minor.  CMPD says they are not looking for any suspects in connection with what is believed to have been an accidental shooting.

Detectives with the Special Victims Division assisted in the investigation as well as clinicians with the Child Development-Community Policing (CDCP) Program. The CDCP is a partnership between the CMPD and Mecklenburg County Provided Services Organization.

Crime Scene Search responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.  Detective Jolly is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.