A violent confrontation during a scheduled child custody exchange in North Carolina has left a man dead and two police officers hospitalised with gunshot wounds.
Shooting Erupts at Edible Arrangements Store
The incident unfolded on Friday morning, 27 December 2025, in Mint Hill, a suburb of Charlotte. Police were called to assist with the custody handover at an Edible Arrangements store at approximately 10:45 a.m..
According to authorities, the man involved, identified as 35-year-old Tjamel Ali Hamlin II, began shooting at the two attending officers. The officers returned fire, resulting in Hamlin being killed at the scene.
Officers' Critical Injuries and Recovery
Both officers sustained serious gunshot wounds above the neck and were initially listed in a critical condition. One officer was a 13-year veteran of the force, while the other had only six months of service.
In a positive update on Saturday, the Mint Hill Police Department confirmed on Facebook that the two wounded officers had been treated and released from hospital, their conditions now stable.
Eyewitness Accounts from the Scene
Employees from the nearby Empire Pizza & Bar witnessed part of the harrowing event. Manager Kevin Phayme told reporters he saw the two officers enter the store and later emerge, with one visibly injured.
"Everything happened so quickly, just seeing an officer with blood on his hands and another one down," Phayme said, according to WBTV. He expressed relief upon learning the officers were stable, adding, "Our hearts go out to them... our prayers go out to them and their families."
Authorities confirmed that Hamlin's family has been notified of his death and that the firearm used was recovered at the scene. No further details about the motive or the circumstances leading to the shooting have been released at this time.
