Updated 8:55 a.m.
The number of homicides in Charlotte this year is now 67, the same number as in all of last year. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say the latest killing happened early Thursday in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood, off Beatties Ford Road in west Charlotte.
Police were called to a home in the 2200 block of Catherine Simmons Avenue at 2:55 a.m. for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. They found a man who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Medic.
The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Dominique Cauthen. Police are still seeking witnesses and have not said whether they have any suspects.
This year has seen a marked increase in the city’s homicide count, and the police department has been trying to stem the tide. CMPD Capt. Chris Dozier spoke with WFAE earlier this month about the department's’ efforts.
"It’s very important to us to make a difference to bring this rate down," Dozier said. "Where we are this year we can’t change that but we can certainly make it better. It’s all about understanding what is going on that that is different than this time last year. And making those changes to address those causes and issues that we find."
Dozier also said the department is increasing patrols in more high crime areas, and has been working to involve more community leaders, including church groups and schools.
Police are asking anyone with information about the latest homicide to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.
