Two Mint Hill police officers are in stable condition after being shot Friday morning at a gift basket shop in the 6800 block of Matthews-Mint Hill Road, officials said.
A man who fired at them was shot and killed, police said. His name has not been made public yet.
Both officers were initially in critical condition. But by mid-Friday afternoon, police said they both were in stable condition at area hospitals. The injured officers have not been publicly identified.
At approximately 10:47 a.m., Mint Hill Police officers responded to Edible Arrangements at 6832 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, regarding a child custody exchange, Mint Hill police said in a news release.
Police tape marks off the perimeter of a shopping center in Mint Hill on Friday. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said. Khadejeh Nikouyeh [email protected]
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has sent agents to the scene to assist in the investigation, the agency said in a Facebook post.
Mint Hill police said they will have more information about the shooting on Saturday.
The area is commercial, including the Mint Hill Pavilion and the Mint Hill Commons shopping centers. Edible Arrangements is in Mint Hill Commons.
The Mint Hill Police Department has 48 sworn police officers and three civilian employees, according to the city’s website. The city just east of Charlotte has a population of about 27,000.
Edible Arrangements is a shop that specializes in handcrafted gifts and gift baskets made of fresh fruits, gourmet chocolate and other treats, according to its website.
Wreaths line Mint Hill near the scene where two police officers were shot on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, and a suspect fatally shot. CHASE JORDAN [email protected]
Nearby restaurant manager describes aftermath
Yellow crime tape blocked off the Edible Arrangements storefront and a large section of the parking lot as investigators moved through the scene.
On a portion of Matthews-Mint Hill Road still lined with Christmas wreaths, emergency vehicles with flashing lights blocked traffic.
Across the street, workers at Empire Pizza were preparing to open for the day when the violence erupted. Upon hearing the gunfire, they immediately locked the doors, fearing an active shooter.
From their vantage point, staff watched two officers enter the Edible Arrangements. One emerged injured with blood on his face and hands; his partner assisted him to the ground to wait for medical personnel, said Kevin Phayme, the restaurant’s general manager.
Empire employees saw the injured officer placed on a gurney. They observed him moving his hands and noted that responders did not need to perform CPR — a sign that Phayme said brought relief to his staff.
“Our prayers go out to the officers and to their families,” Phayme said. “It’s such an unfortunate situation. No family wants to get a phone call that their loved one was involved in a shooting … especially the day after Christmas.”
Phayme, who described Mint Hill as a close-knit community of business leaders and residents, said the restaurant maintains a strong rapport with the local police.
“To hear that this happened in our community where we work and a lot of us live … it’s just very unfortunate,” he added.
T.D. Mangrum, a resident of 10 years who frequents the shopping center, shared that sense of disbelief.
“A big part of why I chose Mint Hill is because of the low crime,” Mangrum said. “I’m sure there have been some violent crimes here, but I have not seen one this public and this close. It kind of shakes you up a bit.”
CMPD and Mint Hill fire department respond to authorities respond to a shooting at a shopping center Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said.
Politicians react to shooting
Gov. Josh Stein posted on social media that he was praying for a full recovery for the officers. “Our officers run toward danger every day to keep us all safe,” he wrote. “We must do all we can to support them.”
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis posted that he and his wife were praying for the injured officers. “ Our hearts are with their families and fellow officers. God Bless all those who serve and protect.”
Mint Hill authorities converged on a shopping center Friday. Two officers were shot, and a suspect is dead, officials said. Khadejeh Nikouyeh [email protected]
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM.
Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
