Patrick Wilson's Avatar

Patrick Wilson

@patrickmwilson.bsky.social

Public safety and courts editor at The Charlotte Observer. Doing great local journalism is expensive - please subscribe, read and help us out! https://www.charlotteobserver.com/ Charlotte, N.C.

387 Followers  |  98 Following  |  93 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024
Posts Following

Posts by Patrick Wilson (@patrickmwilson.bsky.social)

Preview
Detained by ICE in court, 4 men’s pending Charlotte cases slam to a halt Charlotte attorneys say Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s deputies helped with the courthouse arrests.

A spokesperson for the Mecklenburg, N.C., Sheriff's Office said they're not assisting ICE, but it appears that they are, @juliacoin.bsky.social reports

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

01.03.2026 16:18 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
No time for goodbyes: ICE takes Charlotte man’s partner during random traffic stop Luis Duque was driving his parter, Oscar, to work Wednesday when ICE agents stopped them and took Oscar.

No time for goodbyes: ICE takes Charlotte man’s partner during random traffic stop | By @jeff-a-chamer.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

27.02.2026 13:08 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Pineville shop slammed for inclusive door signs. Then the owner responded. A small but popular NC ice cream parlor found itself in the middle of a controversy it directly addressed.

Pineville shop slammed for inclusive door signs. Then the owner responded.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...

26.02.2026 12:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Where do most violent crimes occur on CATS transit? The answer may surprise you. A fatal attack and a second stabbing in 2025 steered much attention to safety on light rail transport. But the serious crimes happen more frequently elsewhere.

While much of the public outcry has focused on risks aboard Charlotte's light rail, serious assaults are much more likely to occur on buses than on trains, according to my analysis. Read all about it @charlotteobserver.com: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

24.02.2026 15:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
U.S. citizens arrested by Border Patrol in Charlotte file lawsuit to stop abuses Five people in N.C. who were either United States citizens or a visa holder were attacked or detained without probable cause, a lawsuit alleges.

U.S. citizens arrested by Border Patrol in Charlotte file lawsuit to stop abuses | By @oehrli.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

25.02.2026 21:50 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
U.S. citizens arrested by Border Patrol in Charlotte file lawsuit to stop abuses Five people in N.C. who were either United States citizens or a visa holder were attacked or detained without probable cause, a lawsuit alleges.

Five people in N.C. who were either United States citizens or a visa holder were attacked or detained without probable cause, a lawsuit alleges.

25.02.2026 00:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Carpe Diem, Mickey & Mooch, Futo Buta and more: Closed Charlotte restaurants you miss So many restaurants that helped shape the Charlotte food scene of today. Here’s what you miss the most about 36 of them.

@melissaoyler.bsky.social took a fun look at classic and now closed restaurants in Charlotte

www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

24.02.2026 13:04 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Wrongful death lawsuits stacked up. But a Charlotte-area surgeon kept operating. Former patients and their loved ones say North Carolina doctor with a string of malpractice settlements should face more accountability.

Charlotte-area surgeon Dr. Timothy Ryan Heider has been sued for wrongful death or malpractice again and again, often settling out of court.

But the surgeon is still operating. And data shows doctors like Heider face few consequences from regulators.

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

19.02.2026 15:14 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Charlotte tow owner who booted Black drivers during pandemic settles with state Drivers delivering food and water during the pandemic had boots placed on their trucks, had to pay $4,000, N.C. attorney general said.

Drivers delivering food and water during the pandemic had boots placed on their trucks, had to pay $4,000, N.C. attorney general said.

17.02.2026 18:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon, had rich Charlotte history Jackson frequented North Carolina and the Charlotte region throughout his life for conferences, church events and get-out-the-vote rallies.

Jackson frequented North Carolina and the Charlotte region throughout his life for conferences, church events and get-out-the-vote rallies.

17.02.2026 23:40 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
ICE protesters turn their attention to private prison company in North Carolina The company wants to hold people for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a closed private prison in Eastern North Carolina.

ICE protesters turn their attention to private prison company in North Carolina (Gift link)

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

18.02.2026 13:23 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
ICE Agents Menaced Minnesota Protesters at Their Homes, Filings Say

ICE Agents Menaced Minnesota Protesters at Their Homes, Filings Say www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/u...

17.02.2026 02:27 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A brick building in downtown York with blue sky.

A brick building in downtown York with blue sky.

A church in downtown York

A church in downtown York

A brick residence in downtown York

A brick residence in downtown York

An old entry door with door knocker in downtown York.

An old entry door with door knocker in downtown York.

60 degrees with winter light today in the city of York, South Carolina.

14.02.2026 20:02 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Border Patrol’s Bovino could come back to Charlotte - this time on witness stand The now-demoted Border Patrol commander personally authorized agents to chase a U.S. citizen who was taking photos of them in Charlotte.

Border Patrol’s Bovino could come back to Charlotte - this time on witness stand

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

12.02.2026 12:41 β€” πŸ‘ 63    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
Voting is starting in NC’s 2026 primary election. Here’s what voters need to know For Mecklenburg voters, elections will include US Senate, Congress, legislature and sheriff, among other races.

For Mecklenburg voters, elections will include US Senate, Congress, legislature and sheriff, among other races.

12.02.2026 12:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
New, key things to know about crime risks on CATS transit in Charlotte Including raw numbers and comparing crime rates on Charlotte Area Transit System property to elsewhere puts crime risk into sharper focus.

Everyone's been quoting the FTA about Charlotte's transit system having higher crime rates than the national average. But what does that really mean? And what's the source? I broke it down for you. @charlotteobserver.com www.charlotteobserver.com/article31463...

10.02.2026 19:55 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
CMPD said officers followed policy before light rail stabbing. They didn’t. Charlotte police were supposed to get DeCarlos Brown Jr. mental health help eight months before Iryna Zarutska’s death, CMPD policies say.

CMPD said officers followed policy before light rail stabbing. They didn’t. | By @juliacoin.bsky.social (Gift link)

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

09.02.2026 16:18 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
They made a home in uptown, but a DHS visit went south. β€˜They stole him.’ The couple from Azerbaijan, who married in Charlotte last year, wrestled with whether they should fight in immigration court or self-deport.

They made a home in uptown, but a DHS visit went south. β€˜They stole him.’ | By @oehrli.bsky.social for @charlotteobserver.com (Gift link)

www.charlotteobserver.com/article31454...

06.02.2026 14:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Fact check: Gov. Roy Cooper did not release DeCarlos Brown Jr. early from prison Years before Iryna Zarutska’s fatal stabbing on a Blue Line train in Charlotte, the man charged with her murder was released two days after his minimum release date, according to state officials.

Years before Iryna Zarutska’s fatal stabbing on a Blue Line train in Charlotte, the man charged with her murder was released two days after his minimum release date, according to state officials.

06.02.2026 01:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...

BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

01.02.2026 21:10 β€” πŸ‘ 35215    πŸ” 17414    πŸ’¬ 2300    πŸ“Œ 2252
Preview
β€˜This Is a New Dimension’ As federal agents begin arresting journalists, experts tell Status that Donald Trump's attacks on the press have crossed into openly authoritarian behavior.

www.status.news/p/don-lemon-...

31.01.2026 20:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

Thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Minneapolis in protest of federal immigration enforcement for the second consecutive Friday.

πŸ“·οΈ: Aaron Lavinsky

30.01.2026 21:42 β€” πŸ‘ 18086    πŸ” 5861    πŸ’¬ 182    πŸ“Œ 329
Preview
Charlotte businesses support nationwide protests with donations, calls to action A few shops have closed in support of the general strike, and many are offering spaces for community gathering.

Charlotte businesses support nationwide protests with donations, calls to action

www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

30.01.2026 17:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
People are sleeping outside Charlotte ICE office overnight because of long waits Some said they feared being arrested once inside the office, but still made the wait. Many are asylum seekers.

Some said they feared being arrested once inside the office, but still made the wait. Many are asylum seekers.

27.01.2026 13:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Killings in Minneapolis β€˜absolutely deplorable,’ Charlotte’s congresswoman says Rep. Alma Adams was one of the Democrats to file articles of impeachment against Secretary Kristi Noem.

Killings in Minneapolis β€˜absolutely deplorable,’ Charlotte’s congresswoman says | By @oehrli.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

27.01.2026 13:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Charlotte federal defender asks agents to de-escalate after Minneapolis deaths Federal Public Defender John Baker said agents were threatening the rule of law and called for independent investigations into DHS.

Federal Public Defender John Baker said agents were threatening the rule of law and called for independent investigations into DHS.

27.01.2026 01:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
NC Gov. Stein calls agents’ killing of ICU nurse in Minneapolis β€˜a travesty’ β€œHe should still be alive right now. There must be a transparent investigation and accountability. This senseless violence must stop.”

NC Gov. Stein calls agents’ killing of ICU nurse in Minneapolis β€˜a travesty’ | @jmarusak.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

25.01.2026 01:25 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
We’re looking back at Charlotte’s best snow memories (send us your old photos!) From surprise dustings to epic Charlotte snowfalls, we’re always ready with the milk and bread β€” and sleds!

Archive photos of snows past in Charlotte, N.C., from @melissaoyler.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...

21.01.2026 11:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Judge locks NC lawmakers out of Charlotte light rail stabbing investigation files The state House Oversight Committee asked the Mecklenburg district attorney for investigative files. A federal judge barred their release.

The state House Oversight Committee asked the Mecklenburg district attorney for investigative files. A federal judge barred their release.

16.01.2026 18:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
2 school-aged NC siblings have measles, health officials confirm Visitors to an emergency department may have been exposed, officials said. The state now has nine cases of the highly contagious disease.

Visitors to an emergency department may have been exposed, officials said. The state now has nine cases of the highly contagious disease.

16.01.2026 22:20 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0