The Gaston County district attorney has decided that two undercover Gastonia police officers were justified when they shot and killed 43-year-old Derrick Terrell Manigault inside Jakob's Food Mart in January, and he will not pursue criminal charges. The ruling closes the county's criminal review of the case, even as the decision fuels renewed demands from Manigault's family and civil-rights advocates for answers and access to evidence.
In a written report, the DA's office labeled the shooting a "justified use of force" and confirmed that no charges will be filed, according to WCNC. Prosecutors said they relied on witness interviews and surveillance video collected during the investigation to reach that conclusion.
What Happened Inside Jakob's Food Mart
The shooting unfolded just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Jakob's Food Mart at 1406 Gaston Avenue, where two plainclothes officers were carrying out a compliance check. The officers later described Manigault as agitated and armed. He was taken from the store to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, as reported by the Charlotte Observer.
According to the DA's report, the encounter grew out of an undercover investigation into alcohol sales to minors. The report says the tension escalated when a detective fired his weapon because he believed Manigault might shoot another man inside the store. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Manigault running away, which the report says led both undercover officers to fire additional rounds. The gun Manigault was carrying was later determined to be an imitation firearm that could not fire, the report notes, per WCNC.
Family And Community Reaction
Manigault's wife, joined by local civil-rights organizations, has been pushing officials for more transparency since the shooting. Supporters have held vigils and called on authorities to release additional details and records, according to WSOC. "People need to know what's happening," NAACP member Sean Bates told the station.
Legal Context
Under North Carolina law, deadly force is permitted when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, a standard laid out in G.S. §14-51.3. FindLaw notes that the statute is paired with a "no duty to retreat" principle that often shapes how prosecutors evaluate officer-involved shootings.
What Comes Next
The DA's decision ends the criminal investigation, but it does not block the Manigault family from pursuing civil action. Previous lawsuits over Gastonia police shootings have seen mixed outcomes, including a recent case in which a judge dismissed a family's claim, described in family's suit tossed. The State Bureau of Investigation led the original probe into Manigault's killing while the officers involved were placed on administrative leave, according to the Charlotte Observer.
