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.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.