Crime
Suspect Identified as Tjamel Ali Hamlin II in Shooting of Two Mint Hill Officers During Child Custody Exchange at Edible Arrangements
MINT HILL, N.C. — The Mint Hill Police Department announced Saturday that the two officers who were shot during a child custody exchange Friday morning have been treated and released from the hospital and have returned home to continue their recovery.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:47 a.m. Friday at the Edible Arrangements located on Matthews–Mint Hill Road.
According to police, officers were present to assist with a child custody exchange when a man produced a firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and responding officers.
Both officers were struck by gunfire above the neck and were initially listed in critical condition.
Despite the severity of their injuries, officials said both officers responded well to treatment and were released from the hospital within a day.
One of the injured officers is a lieutenant with 13 years of law enforcement experience, while the second officer has six months of service with the Mint Hill Police Department.
Police identified the suspect as Tjamel Ali Hamlin II, 35 (date of birth: May 23, 1989). Authorities said Hamlin was shot and killed at the scene.
His family has been notified.
Investigators also confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the location.
The Mint Hill Police Department expressed gratitude for the community’s support in the aftermath of the incident.
“The Mint Hill Police Department sincerely appreciates the continued support, thoughts, and prayers from the community following yesterday’s incident,” the department said in a statement. “In light of the seriousness of their injuries, the Department is extremely grateful for the officers’ progress and their ability to return home so quickly.” Officials also requested privacy for the officers and their families as they recover.
Numerous agencies responded to and assisted with the incident, including the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Mecklenburg Emergency Management, Mint Hill Fire Department, MEDIC, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been requested to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
In parallel, the Mint Hill Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division will carry out a separate administrative review. Officials stated that all additional inquiries related to the investigation should be directed to the SBI.
For reference, authorities noted that additional information related to the case can be found under report number 251226-01755.
WALLACE, Idaho — Shoshone County Sheriff William Eddy has confirmed that the suspect involved in Friday’s shooting at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office was John Drake, 77, who was fatally shot by law enforcement inside the building.
According to authorities, the investigation into the incident remained ongoing as of Saturday.
Law enforcement officials confirmed they have been in contact with Drake’s wife, Clare Drake, who is cooperating fully with investigators.
She told authorities she was unaware that Drake had left the home or intended to carry out the actions that led to the shooting.
Sheriff Eddy stated that Drake was generally supportive of law enforcement and had minimal prior contact with police.
Investigators do not believe Drake was targeting a specific individual inside the building, though officials acknowledged that the motive may ultimately remain unclear.
Authorities reported that Drake entered the sheriff’s office at approximately 2:40 p.m. Friday.
He remained inside the facility for about 90 minutes, spending most of his time in the public lobby, the jail visiting area, and the courtroom.
During the incident, multiple rounds were fired, leaving bullet damage throughout the building.
Everyone inside the facility took shelter as the situation unfolded. Investigators believe three law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during the response.
According to law enforcement briefings, two civilian bystanders were injured outside the sheriff’s office when Drake allegedly fired through the windshield of a vehicle, striking one woman seated in the front and another in the back.
A source familiar with the incident said the two injured bystanders were transported to a local hospital by a family member.
Authorities further reported that the suspect continued firing at the vehicle as it fled the scene toward the hospital. Both bystanders sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
In addition, a Kellogg police officer sustained a minor injury after being struck in the ear by glass while stationed in the dispatch center, which shares a window with the sheriff’s office lobby. That officer was also transported to a hospital for treatment.
During a press conference in Wallace, officials confirmed that two bystanders and one law enforcement officer were injured in the shooting.
Authorities stated that the suspect was in the lobby when he was fat see shot by police.
In a separate release, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) said the active shooter was first reported at 2:40 p.m., and after a multi-agency response, the suspect was neutralized by approximately 5:00 p.m. KCSO confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Despite the absence of an active danger, officials continue to urge the public to avoid the downtown Wallace area while the investigation proceeds. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris confirmed that the suspect died at the scene.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including sheriff’s offices from surrounding counties.
The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office announced it sent additional personnel to assist and reiterated calls for the public to stay clear of the area.
The Idaho Transportation Department also reported that the Interstate 90 eastbound off-ramp at Exit 62 near Wallace was temporarily closed as part of the law enforcement response.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the suspect’s motive and said further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.