CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was another violent weekend in Charlotte, with four shootings, including two homicides, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
The second homicide happened a little after 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bojangles' restaurant near the intersection of West Boulevard and South Tryon Street. When police got to the restaurant, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The total number of homicides in Charlotte this year is up to 88, which is a 10-year high. According to CMPD's crime statistics, that breaks down to a homicide every 3.3 days.
Police say so far this year they know 10 have been due to domestic violence, 13 due to drugs, 24 due to a simple argument that escalated. There's also been an increase in repeat violent risk.
Detectives said an argument between the victim and the suspect escalated to the shooting. The suspect then drove off in a white Nissan Rogue, according to police. CMPD said the victim was a regular at the Bojangles' restaurant.
The victim has been identified as Ronnie Lamont Franklin, 33. His family has been notified.
"It's beginning to get really scary out here," said one man.
The suspect is believed to have left the restaurant on West Boulevard driving toward I-77. CMPD has not released any further suspect information at this time. Detectives said they have spoken to multiple witnesses and are reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant.
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This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.