Man shot, killed in Charlotte's 67th murder; police hunt for shooter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man was shot and killed just before 3 a.m. Thursday in west Charlotte.

[IMAGES: Police investigate Charlotte's 67th homicide]

Police responded to Catherine Simmons Avenue. Jonathan Cauthen, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The slaying is Charlotte's 67th homicide this year. The city had 69 homicides in 2016.

A witness told Channel 9 they heard yelling followed by three shots.

Police went door-to-door searching for witnesses.

They also roped off the area with crime tape, so crime investigators could gather evidence at the scene.

Investigators haven't identified the shooter, and haven’t determined a motive.

For months, Channel 9 has reported on the efforts to curb the violence.

Police have increased foot patrols, pulled in more officers into high-crime areas and increased overtime for officers.

Officers have focused on nabbing repeat offenders and people most likely to escalate violence.

Within the past week, a group of activists called on the city to bring back the homicide task force. It was used during a deadly year in 2005, and it helped turn things around.

Police say most of the deaths happen because people can’t work out their issues and resort to violence.

“If we could get each person to just think one second before you stab someone, before you pull a knife, before you pull a gun, just think for one second the impact on that person, the impact on you,” said Freda Lester of the CMPD.

Check back to wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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