CATS places chief of rail operations on leave + What we know after deadly South Park fire

Andrew Nantais
·2 min read
1

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Tuesday.

Sushi anyone? It’s time for you to decide who hast the best sushi in all of Charlotte. Our latest Readers’ Choice poll launched today and there are 50 places serving up sushi and pining for your vote.

Head on over to CharlotteFive now to pick your favorite!

Here’s your news.

1. Video: Charlotte man killed after Food Lion robbery held gun while walking from officers

Upon release of body-camera footage, the police department has acknowledged officers may have shot first at Kevin Boston.
Upon release of body-camera footage, the police department has acknowledged officers may have shot first at Kevin Boston.

Police body-camera video footage released today shows a Charlotte man — shot and killed by police last year after robbing a grocery store — was walking away from officers while holding a gun.

The footage aligns with what the District Attorney found in reviewing the deadly shooting case and contradicts a part of what Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officials said after the shooting.

Julia Coin continues to update this story.

2. Charlotte’s troubled transit agency puts chief of rail operations on leave

CATS’ light rail system has faced a laundry list of issues — from a previously undisclosed light rail derailment to security issues and administrators departing the agency or being placed on leave.
CATS’ light rail system has faced a laundry list of issues — from a previously undisclosed light rail derailment to security issues and administrators departing the agency or being placed on leave.

More turmoil surrounding the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Deltrin Harris, CATS’ chief of rail operations, was placed on administrative leave with pay, a spokesperson for the agency said today. His leave comes a year after a light rail train derailed on the Blue Line, an incident that was previously undisclosed to the city council and the public until earlier this year.

Genna Contino has the latest on the news out of CATS.

3. Charlotte lands 300 new jobs, US headquarters for Italian tech company in EV sector

alpitronic Americas, an Italian manufacturer of high-power electric vehicle charging stations, will create 300 jobs  locate its U.S. headquarters and service center in Charlotte. Seen here in a 2022 file photo, Gov. Roy Cooper attended the unveiling of a charging station in Charlotte created by a partnership between the city, Duke Energy, Centralina Regional Council and UNC Charlotte. 

The job market in Charlotte is about to get a boost.

Alpitronic Americas LLC, an Italian manufacturer of high-power electric vehicle charging stations, will open its headquarters operation and a service center in Mecklenburg County, Gov. Roy Cooper said today.

“Our state is developing a burgeoning e-mobility supply chain with the support of yet another clean energy company,” Cooper said in a statement.

Catherine Muccigrosso shares more on the announcement.

4. Deadly South Park fire remains under investigation. Here’s everything you need to know

A photo from the street outside the massive fire in South Park.
A photo from the street outside the massive fire in South Park.

Many are still looking for answers after last week’s deadly fire in South Park.

The investigation into the blaze could take weeks or even months, according to fire officials in Charlotte and elsewhere.

Evan Moore runs through what we know.

5. Some more stories to read

---

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading! If you don’t already, subscribe to the Charlotte Observer here. If you’re already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to stay connected.

Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day!

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here.

Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.