Two Mint Hill officers shot while handling a child custody call; suspect killed
Two Mint Hill police officers are in stable condition after being shot Friday morning at a gift basket shop in the 6800 block of Matthews-Mint Hill Road, officials said.
Tjamel Ali Hamlin II, 36, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the officers, police said in an update.
The identities of the officers have not been released. Both were “struck by gunfire above the neck” and were initially in critical condition. However, on Saturday their conditions had stabilized to the point they could be released from the hospital to recuperate at home, police said.
At approximately 10:47 a.m., Mint Hill Police officers responded to Edible Arrangements at 6832 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, regarding a child custody exchange, Mint Hill police said in a news release.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has sent agents to the scene to assist in the investigation, the agency said in a Facebook post.
Mint Hill police said reported Saturday, Dec. 27, that one of the officers involved is lieutenant with 13 years of law enforcement experience, and the second officer has six months of service with the department.
The area is commercial, including the Mint Hill Pavilion and the Mint Hill Commons shopping centers. Edible Arrangements is in Mint Hill Commons.
The Mint Hill Police Department has 48 sworn police officers and three civilian employees, according to the city’s website. The city just east of Charlotte has a population of about 27,000.
Edible Arrangements is a shop that specializes in handcrafted gifts and gift baskets made of fresh fruits, gourmet chocolate and other treats, according to its website.
Nearby restaurant manager describes aftermath
Yellow crime tape blocked off the Edible Arrangements storefront and a large section of the parking lot as investigators moved through the scene.
On a portion of Matthews-Mint Hill Road still lined with Christmas wreaths, emergency vehicles with flashing lights blocked traffic.
Across the street, workers at Empire Pizza were preparing to open for the day when the violence erupted. Upon hearing the gunfire, they immediately locked the doors, fearing an active shooter.
From their vantage point, staff watched two officers enter the Edible Arrangements. One emerged injured with blood on his face and hands; his partner assisted him to the ground to wait for medical personnel, said Kevin Phayme, the restaurant’s general manager.
Empire employees saw the injured officer placed on a gurney. They observed him moving his hands and noted that responders did not need to perform CPR — a sign that Phayme said brought relief to his staff.
“Our prayers go out to the officers and to their families,” Phayme said. “It’s such an unfortunate situation. No family wants to get a phone call that their loved one was involved in a shooting ... especially the day after Christmas.”
Phayme, who described Mint Hill as a close-knit community of business leaders and residents, said the restaurant maintains a strong rapport with the local police.
“To hear that this happened in our community where we work and a lot of us live … it’s just very unfortunate,” he added.
T.D. Mangrum, a resident of 10 years who frequents the shopping center, shared that sense of disbelief.
“A big part of why I chose Mint Hill is because of the low crime,” Mangrum said. “I’m sure there have been some violent crimes here, but I have not seen one this public and this close. It kind of shakes you up a bit.”
Politicians react to shooting
Gov. Josh Stein posted on social media that he was praying for a full recovery for the officers. “Our officers run toward danger every day to keep us all safe,” he wrote. “We must do all we can to support them.”
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis posted that he and his wife were praying for the injured officers. “ Our hearts are with their families and fellow officers. God Bless all those who serve and protect.”
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Two Mint Hill officers shot while handling a child custody call; suspect killed."
