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Detectives identify man killed in shooting near South End, teen arrested

Police were called to help Medic after a witness saw the victim collapse in a parking lot.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 17-year-old was charged with murder in connection with the shooting of a 21-year-old man in southwest Charlotte last month, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said. 

The shooting happened a little after 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. CMPD initially responded to a call to help Medic when a witness called 911 after seeing the victim, 21-year-old Abijah Barkley, collapse in a parking lot. The witness said they didn't see any obvious signs of injury, but paramedics discovered Barkley had been shot. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. 

The suspect, who hasn't been identified due to their age, was arrested by CMPD on April 2 and charged with murder. It's unclear if CMPD is looking for any other suspects at this time. 

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Mecklenburg County leaders recently approved $2 million for a youth crime prevention program. It comes as law enforcement agencies and community groups have raised concerns about the number of young people accused of violent crimes. The goal of these programs is to reach at-risk kids before they become criminals. 

"We arrest them, we return them to their parent," CMPD Deputy Chief Tonya Arrington stand. "Sometimes the parents are like, 'I don't want them here. I can't control them. I need help.'"

No further information was released by CMPD. Anyone with information about this shooting or any other incident is asked to call Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Witnesses can also call 704-432-TIPS to speak directly with homicide detectives. 

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