Charlotte-Mecklenburg police shoot man early Saturday morning

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the SBI is investigating after officers shot and killed a man on Saturday morning.

It happened shortly after 6 a.m. in the 1500 block of Catherine-Simmons Avenue.

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said officers received a call about two men having a dispute with shots being fired. When officers arrived, they heard the sound of gunshots.

Officers saw a man pointing a gun at another man, CMPD said, and asked him to put the gun down.

When the man did not comply, "officers perceived an imminent and deadly threat and multiple officers fired their service weapons," CMPD said.

“At some point, it is indicated that the individual did raise the firearm. And officers at that time did fire multiple shots at the individual and later found that individual deceased inside of a residence," Jennings said.

Leandra Garrett, with the Alternatives to Violence program, and neighbor Cedric Dean questioned the police use of force.

“We engage these people every day. And we are here with them, but we cannot get the police to work with us," Dean told WCNC.

Both Garrett and Dean have a boots-on-the-ground, active approach to serving their community. Dean believes their work calls for more from city officials.

“We need them to start being proactive, instead of reactive," Dean said. "We need them to show this family down here that they really care about a mental health matters, because mental health truly matters.”