By Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com

Responding to Charlotte's spate of five homicides in five days, Police Chief Rodney Monroe pledged Thursday to "bring resolution to each and every one of these cases."

Monroe said he was increasing patrols in neighborhoods where the crimes occurred.

The killings started early Sunday with gunfire at a Cook-Out Restaurant in northern Charlotte. The most recent was a man found dead in the street off Beatties Ford Road.

In four of the cases, the victims were under 25.

The year's homicides now total 28, more than double the number at this point in 2009, when the homicide total was at a historic low.

Police have made arrests in two of this week's cases, and, in a statement, Monroe said he anticipates more.

"I want to ensure our citizens that the CMPD is working aggressively," the statement said.

The most recent victims:

Devon Alister Clement, 20, was killed shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday at a Cook-Out restaurant on West Sugar Creek Road. Several people were fighting in the restaurant's parking lot, someone fired shots, and Clement was hit in the torso.

Dominique McGriff, 21, and his girlfriend Tia Mitchell, 23, were found shot to death in a car about 11 p.m. Sunday just off West Boulevard. A witness said she heard four gunshots, then saw their car roll to a stop on the side of the road.

Michael Pernell Smith, 29, was shot three times about 7p.m. Sunday. Police found him in the 500 block of Camrose Drive, near Eastway Drive and The Plaza. Officers have made an arrest in the case.

Jermaine McJunkin, 23, was found dead in a street off Beatties Ford Road Wednesday night. Police on Thursday charged four men in the case.

Except for the double shooting Sunday, Deputy Chief Harold Medlock said the killings don't appear to be connected. One appears to be drug-related, and at least one has gang ties, he said.

"The most troubling thing is that every one of these cases involves young people," Medlock said. "It is maddening to us as a police department that we have young people in our community who continue to want to settle their disputes with violence."

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