Graffiti litters complex

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Graffiti at a Charlotte apartment complex suggests gang activity, according to police.

"See, that's fresh,” said a resident who showed NewsChannel 36 several taggings at the Brook Valley Apartments off Nations Ford Road.

Some neighbors say it is art. Basically, they say, just kids creating murals.

Others, including police, say they recognize gang graffiti when they see it.

"In the sense that the graffiti is connected to a gang, yes, that would worry me,” said a woman lives at the apartments but didn't want to be identified. "Unfortunately, we have the written symbol of the criminals but I think that happens anywhere."

Neighbors say "KOS" spray painted several times around the complex is the name of the tagger's dog, "Chaos."

In gang terms, "KOS" means "Kill On Site" or "Killer On Site."

"187" -- also spray painted at the complex -- is the California penal code number for murder.

Police say Brook Valley is a known Latino gang area.

In fact, police were investigating one person pulling a gun on another when NewsChannel 36 was there working on this story.

They said it was likely gang-related.

The apartment complex parking lot is where police say Victor Manuel Vasquez fired shots at a CMPD officer last month. He's now charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

The Charlotte Apartment Association says it's in the best interest of apartments and their residents to eliminate graffiti as soon as possible.

Sources say the wall with the "KOS" and "187" was up for at least a month and was nearly 20 feet high.

The apartment has now washed it off.

"You know they put it right back up after you paint it over,” the unidentified neighbor said.

Police and neighbors say the complex traditionally does a good job washing graffiti off in a timely manner.

There is no indication the man charged with shooting at the officer lived at the apartment complex.