Former gang members, police discuss how to curb recent violence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former gang members came to Nations Ford Community Church in an effort to keep teens from making the same mistakes they've made.

"Violence was just me. I was possessed with violence," Stan Wilson said.

As a teenager, Wilson founded one of Charlotte's most notorious gangs.

"As far as I know, (I was) the first recognized street gang member in Charlotte," Wilson said.

His gang grew to have hundreds of members but Wilson had an awakening and turned his life around. He joined the military and found success as a local businessman.

He shared the stage with oncerival gang members Thursday at a forum at Nations Ford Community Church.

They came together to help teens in Charlotte turn away from a life of gang violence. Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department detective G.L. McFadden is helping them.

"We're going to go outside of these walls of the church," McFadden said. "These guys are not going (going to) stay in the walls. They're going to go out to the street."

Many of them admit they don't know what it will take to prevent the violence seen this past Labor Day weekend when five people were killed by gang like violence.

They want the community to come together and try by reaching out to young people one on one before it's too late.

Call Nations Ford Community Church for more information at 704-522-6480.

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