CRIME TRACKER — Sign up for CBS 17’s newsletter with the latest in local crime
North Carolina
New statewide task force aims to tackle rising North Carolina gang violence
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With gang activity spreading into every corner of North Carolina, state leaders are launching a new task force to find real solutions.
The Governor’s Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force has more than 20 stakeholders for a collaborative and holistic approach, including law enforcement, public health, education, mental health, and criminal justice experts.
“We all know that what we want is safer communities,” said Leslie Dismukes, one of the task force’s co-chairs. “Gang violence is growing, and we can’t fix that unless we take a collaborative approach.”
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) said juvenile gang activity has increased nearly 50 percent in the last five years, calling it a “preventable problem” that requires early intervention.
“Understanding who’s more likely to get engaged in gang activity will enable us to reduce the likelihood that they do,” he said. “Many acts of violence can be prevented if we address the root causes and offer people better options in their daily lives.”
Experts say gangs now operate in all 100 North Carolina counties, including here in Wake County. Dismukes said that’s why a whole-of-government approach is needed.
“If we don’t account for every piece of the puzzle, we’re not going to be able to have a comprehensive solution,” she said.
Even those with lived experience with gangs have a seat at the table.
“Whether they’ve been a part of a gang, their family has been impacted by gang violence or in their career, they’ve intersected with it and it’s left a mark on them. It’s important to have all these different perspectives because that gives us fresh ideas,” said Siarra Scott, the task force’s other co-chair.
The group plans to divide into three subcommittees: prevention, intervention, and intelligence sharing. The full task force will meet every other month, with subcommittees meeting in between.
“People really care about making this a safer place for all of us to live, work and raise our families,” Dismukes said. “With this many dedicated people, I feel like we cannot fail.”
The co-chairs say they’re determined to turn talk into action and not just become another group with meetings about meetings. The task force is expected to deliver its first set of recommendations in six months.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Follow
-
Idaho3 minutes ago‘Unrelenting’: Statehouse reporters recap 2026 legislative session in Idaho Falls – East Idaho News
-
Illinois9 minutes agoWeather service assessing damage across Iowa, Illinois and Missouri
-
Indiana15 minutes agoProjecting the Indiana Fever’s 2026 Starting Lineup
-
Iowa21 minutes ago5 people wounded in shooting near University of Iowa campus, including 3 students
-
Kansas27 minutes agoKansas Governor signs Caleb’s Law, targeting online sextortion of minors
-
Kentucky33 minutes agoMissing on this PF in the transfer portal could be a good thing for Kentucky
-
Louisiana39 minutes agoAt least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US
-
Maine45 minutes agoWet, cooler today; rain & snow impacts across Maine