Police try to track down killer responsible for Charlotte's 41st homicide

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are investigating Charlotte's 41st homicide of this year after a man was found shot to death inside a car in northwest Charlotte Monday.

[IMAGES: Police investigating city's 41st homicide of this year]

Officers said neighbors called 911 around 7 p.m. after they heard gunshots and a short time later police found a car that had crashed into a power pole on North Hoskins Road.

Jerome Patterson said he heard the gunshots and thought it was best to get out of the way.

"All of a sudden, just heard a bunch of gunfire and we all ducked down and everything, and all of a sudden you heard tires screeching and that was it. I mean, it was just a total tragedy. I'm so lost with words, really, about the whole thing," Patterson said.

Officers found Cornell Bridges, 32, shot inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

[PHOTOS: Homicide victims of 2017]

"Kids shouldn't have to see this," a neighbor told Channel 9.

Officers initially responded to multiple calls of shots being fired in the 4500 block of Hovis Road.

[PHOTOS: Suspects in 2017 homicide cases]

Police were in the area when additional calls came into 911, including a report of someone being shot in a vehicle on North Hoskins Road.

Police are unsure if the vehicle was involved in a chase, if the shooting was a drive-by or if the shooter was inside the car with Bridges.

Neighbors were on edge the day after the deadly shooting.

"What does this do to your sense of safety?” a neighbor who did not want to be identified said. “Having something this bad happen so close? It terrifies me, I'm scared to death. I'm petrified. I'm really scared to come to the door."

Officers are hoping that someone steps forward and provides information.

"Oh, it's extremely important; we realize we don't know everything,” CMPD Lt. Anderson Royston said. “We never have all the facts. Even if it's minute and you don't think it's important, please give us a call."

No arrests have been made and police said the homicide is an ongoing investigation.

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