Patrick Wilson
patrickmwilson.bsky.social
Patrick Wilson
@patrickmwilson.bsky.social
Public safety and courts editor at The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte, N.C.
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
“We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars, targeting American citizens based on their skin color.”
NC governor: Border Patrol agents in Charlotte racially profile and stoke fear
“We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars, targeting American citizens based on their skin color.”
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Super G executive in Pineville, N.C., describes federal agents dragging out teen store employee | By @oehrli.bsky.social in The Charlotte Observer

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Super G executive in Pineville describes agents dragging out teen store employee
“These guys still had the audacity to smile and wave at the camera,” he said of the U.S. Border Patrol agents.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
‘Why just me?’ Charlotte man says Border Patrol broke pickup window, stole keys

Read our story at: www.charlotteobserver.com/article31293...
‘Why just me?’ Charlotte man says Border Patrol broke pickup window, stole keys
“Are you an illegal immigrant?” the man said an officer asked. He replied that he didn’t have to answer and asked why he was singled out.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Border Patrol moving through Charlotte as videos document arrests, confrontations | By @jmarusak.bsky.social and a team of reporters at the Observer

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
Border Patrol moving through Charlotte as videos document arrests, confrontations
On Central Avenue, a picture by Immigration Alerts CLT appeared to show two federal agents behind a man with his hands behind his back.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
‘Another Black man gone’: unanswered questions in wake of north Charlotte shooting | Part 3 from @juliacoin.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
‘Another Black man gone’: unanswered questions in wake of north Charlotte shooting
Family and friends of Sanrico McGill were upset after police shot him outside his home. In part three of this series, what experts said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Charlotte police said officers ‘immediately’ rendered aid after shooting. Video shows otherwise (Gift Article) | Part Two of an investigative series by @juliacoin.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
CMPD said it ‘immediately’ rendered aid after shooting. Video shows otherwise
Official statements on fatal shooting don’t line up with reality. Part Two of a three-part Observer series.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
NEW: 2020 footage said to be in 2025. A neighbor who keeps reappearing in the same clip, said to be on different days & months. A broadcast from elsewhere suggested as Portland.

How Fox News misled its viewership -- which may have included the president.

www.propublica.org/article/port...
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
CMPD ignored pleas, shot mentally ill man, then waited for drone, videos show | Observer investigation by @juliacoin.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
CMPD ignored pleas, shot mentally ill man, then waited for drone, videos show
Police said they gave first aid immediately, but videos show otherwise. A three-part Observer series.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Charlotte police investigators said a killing was “justified.” His family wants to know who shot, and why (Gift article) | By @jeff-a-chamer.bsky.social

Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
CMPD said a killing was “justified.” His family wants to know who shot, and why
The 35-year-old Charlotte man was out with friends when he was killed outside a bar. Family can’t get many answers.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
The family’s attorney said she suffered a brain injury and had seizures. Her mother said she has not been the same since.
Charlotte student suffered brain injury after officer slammed her, attorney says
The family’s attorney said she suffered a brain injury and had seizures. Her mother said she has not been the same since.
bit.ly
November 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
Life update: I’m headed to Charlotte! I’ll join McClatchy’s stellar NC investigative team Sept. 29th

@charlotteobserver.com & @newsobserver.com have a reputation for high-impact reporting—both were 2025 Pulitzer finalists. I’m thrilled to join them (+ experience fall on the East Coast again) 🍂
September 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
October 31, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
Mystery prosecutor drops criminal charges against former NC cop

Read my story at:
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Mystery prosecutor drops criminal charges against former NC cop
The Iredell DA didn’t return calls and the state online court system was backlogged, leading to secrecy in the case of a former officer.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
Luci and I are hitting the road to North Carolina this week! I start on the investigative team at the @charlotteobserver.com Sept 29. Excited to dive into a new region and new topics for me! Luci is excited to get out of the Phoenix sun.
September 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Charlotte judge wrong to block video of cop shooting cop, appeals court says | By @juliacoin.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Charlotte judge wrong to block video of cop shooting cop, appeals court says
A CMPD officer shot another officer 10 times. A Charlotte news station asked that the video be unsealed.
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Judge blocks release of body camera footage in fatal North Carolina police shooting | By @oehrli.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Judge blocks release of body camera footage in fatal Hickory police shooting
He said he worried about the public determining facts “without the benefit of other evidence which would be available in a trial setting.”
www.charlotteobserver.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Houston on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 27.
October 1, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Union County Sheriff’s Office to pay $2.5 million to family of man they killed | Observer story by @juliacoin.bsky.social @oehrli.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Union County Sheriff’s Office to pay $2.5 million to family of man they killed
Deputies suspected Malcolm Staton of having drugs, but he was just making a purchase at a convenience store, his family said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Light rail fact check: Here are the claims vs. reality in the Charlotte stabbing | By @juliacoin.bsky.social

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Light rail fact check: Here are the claims vs. reality in the Charlotte stabbing
Iryna Zarutska’s death and DeCarlos Brown Jr.’s criminal history prompted a wave of incorrect information.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
If you’re going to remember Iryna Zarutska, her family hopes it’s more like this (Charlotte Observer gift article)

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
If you’re going to remember Iryna Zarutska, her family hopes it’s more like this
The 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee’s loved ones try to shift focus away from the ugly death she died and toward the beautiful life she lived.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Reality Check: Did judge who released suspect before Charlotte light rail stabbing break rules?

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Did judge who released suspect before Charlotte light rail stabbing break rules?
The charge DeCarlos Brown Jr. faced in January might have been supported by little evidence, one expert said.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Mother of man charged in light rail killing prays victim’s family forgives him

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/n...
Mother of man charged in light rail killing prays victim’s family forgives him
She said other parents are also struggling to figure out solutions to mental health problems.
www.charlotteobserver.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Patrick Wilson
At long last, I have a Charlotte phone number.

Have a tip about police or the legal system? Give me a ring anytime at 980-451-0108.
August 8, 2025 at 1:32 AM