2 N.C. Police Officers Critically Injured in Shopping Center Shooting

Two Mint Hill police officers were responding to an issue with a child custody exchange when they were shot and critically wounded after a man pulled a gun and began firing.
Source Officer.com News
Dec. 26, 2025

What to know

  • Two Mint Hill police officers were critically wounded after a suspect opened fire while officers were responding to a child custody exchange call at a shopping center.

  • The officers were struck when an armed man began shooting, and police confirmed that the suspect was dead.

  • The officers were taken to a hospital in critical condition, and the shooting is under investigation.

Two Mint Hill, NC, police officers critically wounded in shooting.

Two Mint Hill, NC, police officers were critically wounded in a shooting during a child custody exchange at a shopping center Friday.

Two North Carolina police officers were critically wounded in an exchange of gunfire at a shopping center Friday that left an armed suspect dead.

The shooting happened shortly after 10:45 a.m. when Mint Hill police responded to an issue with a child custody exchange at an Edible Arrangements location, the department stated in a social media post. While officers were talking with individuals, a man drew a gun and began firing.

Two officers were struck by the gunfire. The suspect was fatally shot in the exchange.

The officers were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to the department.

"My heart is with Mint Hill Police!" state Rep. Tricia Cotham wrote on social media. "I’m closely monitoring the situation and I’m in contact with authorities. I ask for your prayers for all."

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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