Charlotte, North Carolina, January 7, 2026
Charlotte, North Carolina, has reported its first homicide of the year following a fatal shooting in the Enderly Park neighborhood. The victim, 24-year-old Kishmere Wright, was found deceased on Carol Avenue after CMPD officers responded to shooting reports. The police are investigating the incident but have yet to reveal any details about potential suspects or motives. Community members express concern over the rising violence, coinciding with a safety committee meeting held by city leaders. Residents are urged to assist the investigation through any information they may have.
Charlotte, North Carolina – The city of Charlotte has recorded its first homicide of 2026 after a fatal shooting occurred on Monday evening, January 5, in the Enderly Park neighborhood. The victim has been identified as Kishmere Wright, 24 years old.
Investigation Underway in Northwest Charlotte
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to reports of a shooting around 7 p.m. on Carol Avenue, near the intersection with Rose Street, in the northwest Charlotte area. Upon arrival, emergency personnel confirmed one person was deceased at the scene due to gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as Kishmere Wright, 24, was confirmed dead on Tuesday. Authorities have not yet released any information regarding potential suspects or a motive in the ongoing investigation. The CMPD Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case and encourages anyone with information to come forward.
Community Concerns and Broader Context
The incident has caused unease among residents in the Enderly Park neighborhood, with some long-time residents expressing shock over the violence in their community. This shooting happened just hours after Charlotte city leaders held their first safety committee meeting of 2026, highlighting persistent concerns about public safety and violence in the city.
City Council member Malcolm Graham, who represents the area and serves on the safety committee, emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to address public safety issues. He stated that effective safety efforts require additional support from the state (State-level) and cooperation between residents, city leaders, and law enforcement.
While city data indicated a significant decrease in violent crime in the Enderly Park neighborhood during 2025, this recent fatal shooting has renewed calls for vigilance and collaboration within the community. In 2025, Charlotte saw progress in reducing crime, with violent crime dropping by 20% and property crime by 5% compared to 2024 by the end of the third quarter (State-level). Homicides, specifically, experienced a 29% reduction in the first half of 2025 (State-level). Despite these improvements, Charlotte’s overall crime rate in 2026 is projected to be 74% above the national average, with significant variations across different neighborhoods (Nationwide).
For context, Charlotte recorded 106 homicides in the previous year, 2025, with the first homicide of that year occurring on January 9, 2025.
Public Assistance Requested
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit is urging anyone with information related to the shooting of Kishmere Wright to contact detectives directly at 704-432-8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Community involvement is encouraged to assist in solving the case and addressing violence in the neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When did the first homicide of 2026 occur in Charlotte?
- The first homicide of 2026 in Charlotte occurred on Monday evening, January 5.
- Where did the shooting take place?
- The shooting occurred on Carol Avenue, near the intersection with Rose Street, in Charlotte’s Enderly Park neighborhood (Northwest Charlotte).
- Who was the victim?
- The victim has been identified as Kishmere Wright, 24 years old.
- Have any suspects been identified or apprehended?
- Authorities have not yet released any information regarding potential suspects.
- How can the public provide information about the shooting?
- Anyone with information is asked to contact the CMPD Homicide Unit at 704-432-8477 or provide anonymous tips through Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
- What is the broader context of crime in Charlotte?
- Charlotte’s overall crime rate in 2026 is projected to be 74% above the national average (Nationwide), though city data indicated a significant decrease in violent crime in the Enderly Park neighborhood during 2025.
Key Details of the Charlotte Homicide Investigation
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Event | First Homicide of 2026 in Charlotte | City-level |
| Date | Monday evening, January 5 | City-level |
| Location | Carol Avenue, near Rose Street, Enderly Park (Northwest Charlotte) | City-level |
| Victim Identified | Kishmere Wright, 24 years old | City-level |
| Suspect Information | No information released | City-level |
| Investigating Agency | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Homicide Unit | City-level |
| Previous Year’s Homicides (2025) | 106 homicides | City-level |
| Charlotte’s 2026 Projected Crime Rate vs. National Average | 74% above the national average | Nationwide |
Now Happening on X
- @QCTLKNews (January 7, 2026, 2:57 AM) Charlotte’s first homicide of 2026 is under investigation after a deadly shooting in west Charlotte, with 24-year-old Kishmere Wright killed on Carol Avenue; no suspects identified yet, and neighbors call for vigilance. View on X
- @wcnc (January 6, 2026, 12:59 AM) One person was killed in a shooting in northwest Charlotte. View on X
- @Queen_City_News (January 6, 2026, 12:33 AM) One person is dead following a shooting in northwest Charlotte. View on X
- @QuintinOnCamera (January 6, 2026, 8:18 PM) A juvenile was injured in a shooting, and the mother was arrested for unlawful conduct toward a child by North Carolina police. View on X
- @theobserver (January 4, 2026, 7:00 PM) A homicide was discovered after a caller reported an assault at 2:30 a.m., according to CMPD. View on X
- @theobserver (January 2, 2026, 7:00 AM) A homicide was uncovered when a caller reported an assault at 2:30 a.m., as stated by CMPD. View on X
- @TBradleyNC (December 6, 2025, 10:56 AM) Recap of violent incidents in Charlotte yesterday: light rail stabbing, stabbing near Eastway Drive, shots fired at police with a large response, and a shooting leaving a victim critically injured; calls for National Guard intervention. View on X
- @wsoctv (January 5, 2026, 7:30 AM) Civilian investigators are freeing up officers and boosting crash response times in Charlotte. View on X
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
