Mecklenburg County prosecutors have decided not to charge a Mint Hill police lieutenant who shot and killed a man during a child custody exchange inside an Edible Arrangements shop on Dec. 26, 2025. After reviewing the case, the district attorney’s office concluded that Lt. Jacob Smith’s use of deadly force was legally justified because both he and another officer were shot before Smith fired the fatal rounds. The ruling wraps up the criminal review, although internal police investigations or civil lawsuits could still follow.
According to WBTV, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said Smith acted in defense of himself and Officer Nicholas Rosario and will not face criminal charges in the shooting. Prosecutors said their finding relied on evidence gathered by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and local detectives. WBTV identified the gunman as 35-year-old Tjamel Ali Hamlin II.
What Happened Inside the Shop
Mint Hill officers were called shortly before 11 a.m. to the Edible Arrangements in the Mint Hill Commons shopping center for a child custody exchange, a timeline first detailed by the Charlotte Observer. Witnesses saw officers head inside and later help carry an injured officer out to waiting medical crews, while State Bureau of Investigation agents moved in to assist with the inquiry. Early coverage captured a chaotic scene as the custody dispute escalated into gunfire.
Prosecutors, as summarized by WBTV, said Smith walked into a kitchen area at the back of the store, approached Hamlin from behind and told him to let go of the child. Hamlin then shut a door, pulled out a handgun and opened fire, hitting Smith in the mouth and Rosario in the forehead. Smith returned fire, striking Hamlin in the chest and killing him. The district attorney’s office said Smith’s shots were a defensive response to an immediate threat to his life and to Officer Rosario. WBTV noted that the review did not address any potential civil claims or internal department discipline, which would be handled separately.
Why the DA Said No Charges
In explaining its decision, the DA’s office pointed to North Carolina law that lets officers use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm. Under G.S. 15A-401 and G.S. 14-51.3, an officer may use deadly physical force to protect himself or a third person if that belief is considered reasonable. Prosecutors said the evidence collected by SBI agents and local investigators supported the conclusion that Smith’s actions met that legal standard.
Community Reaction and What Comes Next
Both injured officers were hospitalized after the December shooting, then stabilized and released to recover at home. Local leaders and neighbors expressed relief that the officers survived, according to the Associated Press. With the DA’s announcement, the criminal phase of the case is effectively closed, but the door remains open for internal Mint Hill Police Department reviews or civil litigation. Officials said the SBI handled key evidence collection and turned its findings over to prosecutors under standard protocols for officer-involved shootings.
