A funeral is scheduled at noon today for the 26-year-old protester, Justin Carr, who was fatally shot during violent protests in uptown Charlotte last Wednesday night.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says Carr was shot by another civilian, and on Friday, police arrested a 21-year-old suspect, RayquanBorum, on charges of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and being a fugitive from another state.
Meanwhile, protesters constructed a small memorial with candles on the approximate site near the Omni Hotel where Carr was shot, and often paused marches and protests to remember Carr. Tuesday night, Carr’s family and friends held a candlelight memorial in Camp Green Park in west Charlotte. Today’s funeral takes place at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in north Charlotte.
Republican State Senator Indicted For Misusing Campaign Funds
Longtime State Senator Fletcher Hartsell of Concord has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges stemming from allegations he spent more than $200,000 in campaign funds for his personal benefit. The jury indicted Hartsell on 14 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Three months ago, a Wake County grand jury indicted the Republican on counts of filing false campaign reports. The newest indictment alleges he took money from his campaign account and funneled it to his law firm and to a corporation he owned with his wife. Hartsell's first court appearance is Thursday in Greensboro. He has said he will not seek re-election this fall.
California Issues Travel Ban To NC Over HB2, Charlotte Loses Another Sporting Event
California is joining the list of states banning state-funded travel to North Carolina in response to House Bill 2, which limits protections for LGBT people and requires people to use the restroom corresponding with the sex on their birth certificate.
The Sacramento Bee reports California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Tuesday prohibiting state agencies from compelling their employees to travel to states with laws that allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The new law applies to the University of California and the California State University System. It could also limit travel for conferences and training.
Five other states have similarly barred state-funded travel to North Carolina over HB2. Those are: New York, Minnesota, Vermont, Washington, and Connecticut.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is losing another sporting event in connection to HB2. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics says it's moving this year's Cross Country National Championships, which was scheduled for this November at McAlpine Creek Park. That follows the ACC moving its championship football game from Charlotte, and the NBA moving next year's All-Stars game from the city, and the NCAA pulling championship games from several NC cities, all in response to HB2.
