Argument at Charlotte Food Lion turns deadly in parking lot, reports say

A homicide that occurred during rush hour is linked to an argument that began at a Food Lion in east Charlotte, according to news outlets.

The man who died has been identified as 38-year-old Sean Brandon Mason.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the killing happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the 7400 block of The Plaza, near the intersection of East W.T. Harris Boulevard, according to a Feb. 19 news release.

The incident began as a “verbal altercation” and escalated to gunshots outside the Food Lion, WSOC reports. Two vehicles fled the parking lot and one crashed into a nearby building, the station says.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim who had sustained gunshot wounds. Officers pronounced the victim deceased on scene,” CMPD said. “Officers detained a person of interest on scene.”

CMPD says “assistance from community members” helped identify 55-year-old James Rothwell as a suspect. He has been charged with murder and three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, police said.

This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Argument at Charlotte Food Lion turns deadly in parking lot, reports say."