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
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.