Crime & Courts

Man charged with murder after shooting of 30-year-old in southwest Charlotte

A shooting this week has become a homicide case after the victim died in the hospital, police said on Thursday.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers responded to a call about a shooting in a southwest Charlotte neighborhood on Green Ivy Lane just after 8 p.m. Sunday, according to a CMPD news release. They found Desmond Balogun, 30, who had been shot.

He was taken to a hospital, where he died four days later.

Police had arrested Clifford Leon Smith Jr., 51, on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and now he is charged with murder, according to CMPD.

CMPD did not release information about what led to the shooting and did not immediately respond to requests for the police report.

This is the 89th homicide in the city this year.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call 704-432-8477 and speak to a homicide detective. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com/.

BEHIND THE STORY

MORE

This is a breaking news story.

In a breaking news situation, facts may be unclear and details may change as the story develops. Charlotte Observer reporters are working to get information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story could change as more details become available. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

Kallie Cox
The Charlotte Observer
Kallie Cox covers public safety for The Charlotte Observer. They grew up in Springfield, Illinois and attended school at SIU Carbondale. They reported on police accountability and LGBTQ immigration barriers for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. And, they previously worked at The Southern Illinoisan before moving to Charlotte. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER