CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The GOP is urging North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard to Charlotte.

In a letter issued Wednesday, Nov. 5 , Republican leaders cited a 200% increase in the murder rate in Uptown compared to this time last year.

GOP leaders described Charlotte’s situation as “increasingly dire,” noting that eight homicides were reported within seven days. They also referenced the gruesome light rail stabbing that recently drew national attention.

“The Fraternal Order of Police has made clear that local officers are stretched dangerously thin,” the letter stated. “That reality is reflected in cases like Decarlos Brown Jr. , who has been arrested 14 times.”

Brown is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska just minutes after she boarded

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