Mint Hill Shootout During Custody Exchange Leaves Two Officers Wounded
Mint Hill police responded to a child custody exchange at an Edible Arrangements on December 26, when a man produced a firearm and opened fire, killing himself after officers returned fire and critically wounding two Mint Hill officers. The incident underscores risks around unsupervised custody transfers, the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation, and the need for safer exchange practices in the community.
On December 26, a routine child custody exchange in a Mint Hill shopping center turned deadly when a male subject produced a firearm and opened fire at the scene. Officers who had been called to the Edible Arrangements in the shopping center exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The suspect was later identified as Tjamel Ali Hamlin II and was found dead at the scene. Two Mint Hill police officers were critically wounded and transported to the hospital.
Police and state investigators continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting, examining the sequence of events that led to the exchange of gunfire and the moments before officers arrived. Witnesses at the shopping center described the scene as chaotic as emergency responders arrived. The Mint Hill Police Department issued official statements confirming the exchange, the identification of the suspect, and the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not released a timeline for completion of the investigative steps.
Both officers received treatment for their injuries and were subsequently released from the hospital. Their recovery and condition remain a focal point for the department and the local community. The shooting has prompted an immediate response from residents and local leaders who are raising questions about safety protocols for custody exchanges and the level of support offered to families who arrange transfers without professional oversight.
The incident carries practical consequences for anyone arranging a custody exchange. Arrange transfers in public, well lit locations and consider conducting exchanges at police stations when possible. Notify local law enforcement in advance of planned exchanges, document the time and place of a transfer, and involve a neutral third party if disputes are anticipated. These steps do not eliminate risk, but they reduce opportunities for confrontations to escalate.
For the community, this event highlights the intersecting responsibilities of families, civil authorities, and law enforcement to protect children and the adults tasked with safeguarding them. Mint Hill police say the investigation will determine the full context of the shooting and any contributing factors. Until investigators release more information, residents should expect increased police presence and ongoing updates from authorities as they work to resolve outstanding questions and provide reassurance to the neighborhood.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
