As the Charlotte Observer reports, yesterday UNC Charlotte marked the one-year anniversary of the campus shooting that claimed the lives of two students on the last day of spring classes. In a ceremony that was conducted virtually because of the coronavirus, yesterday morning campus police officers placed two wreaths in front of the Kennedy Building, the site of the tragedy, to honor the two students who were killed, Reed Parlier and Riley Howell. Later, at 5:10pm, the Niner Nation streamed a live event with remarks from the chancellor and other members of the UNCC community. Keep reading for more news.
Protests. The News & Observer reports that earlier this week four people were arrested at a ReOpenNC protest in Raleigh calling for an end to Governor Cooper’s Stay at Home Order. The N&O report says that hundreds of people attended the ReOpenNC event and that arrests were made when people stepped onto a sidewalk in front of the Governor’s Mansion in defiance of police orders. Among those arrested was Ashley Smith, of Raleigh, who the article identifies as the leader of the group.
Pettiway. WRAL reports that a senior detention officer with the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Alexander Reginald Pettiway, passed away late last week due to coronavirus complications. Pettiway was an officer in the Durham County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years.
Security. The News & Observer reports that the Raleigh Police Department has had an around-the-clock security detail at Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown’s home for more than a month following protests in the city arising from an officer involved shooting.
As the News Roundup noted in March, a Raleigh police officer shot Javier Torres after responding to a 911 call reporting that a man was displaying a gun at a local strip mall. Thereafter, a group of protesters assembled at Chief Deck-Brown’s home and in other areas of the city. The N&O report says that the Raleigh Police Protective Association raised questions this week about the cost of the protective detail, which is comprised of on-duty uniformed officers. The Raleigh PD said in a statement that it currently is necessary to continue providing security for Deck-Brown.
Wiseman. WLOS reports that Joseph Wiseman’s federal sentence for convictions related to corrupt dealing with former Buncombe County officials has been reduced by roughly one year. The reason for the reduction has been sealed according to the report, which also notes that Wiseman’s attorney has asked that Wiseman serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement due to COVID-19 concerns at Butner Correctional Institution.