CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A security guard shot and killed a man during a reported confrontation at the Queen City Quarter in Uptown just after midnight Friday morning, police said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to a shooting at the Queen City Quarter East Fourth Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. Officers previously said the shooting occurred at the Charlotte Transportation Center but later clarified the location.
When officers arrived on the scene, they were told that two security officers were responding to a complaint about a disturbance and a man publicly urinating in the area of Queen City Quarter, formerly known as the Epicentre, along East Fourth Street across from the transportation center. Officials said a struggle ensued and the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Kashaune Lavonne Teal, allegedly pulled out a gun.
One of the officers was able to push away the gun before the suspect fired. The other security guard fired his gun, killing Teal. Both security officers are sworn officers who are employed by Allied Security, according to CMPD.
Teal had an outstanding order for his arrest outside of Mecklenburg County for kidnapping, investigators said.
Officers recovered a gun at the Transportation Center and said it did not belong to either security officer. CMPD's homicide unit is investigating the case and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office will review the incident to determine if any charges will be filed or if the shooting was justified.
"It's a busy spot," a CMPD spokesperson said early Friday. "There's a lot of stuff around here but there's a lot of security in the area. People need to be aware the Allied security personnel were just out and performing their duties and encountered a subject, and unfortunately, a tragic incident occurred."
Attorney Mark Jetton, who is not connected to the case, said whether the shooting was justified or not comes down to the basics of self-defense.
“The basics are you use reasonably necessary force to defend yourself against a threat," Jetton, Founding Partner of Jetton & Meredith, PLLC, said. "Now that standard when you’re dealing with lethal force is heightened because you can't use lethal force unless your life is in danger."
He added it is a complex case that takes into account many factors.
“That would include interviewing any potential witnesses, interviewing anyone involved and then pulling video camera, tape,” Jetton said. “I assume there is video in the surrounding area and just trying to understand what happened.”
Jetton said even if the shooting is found to be justifiable on the criminal side it doesn’t mean the guards or security company are in the clear.
“It is a private company, this is not a government agency so policies and procedures are still going to be important, more on the civil side,” Jetton said. “Were the policies and procedures followed?”
Allied Universal shared the following statement:
"Allied Universal is aware of the incident and we are cooperating with the local authorities as they conduct their investigation. We ask that all further questions be referred to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department."
The District Attorney's Office shared the following statement with WCNC Charlotte:
"It is our understanding that CMPD has made an initial decision that this shooting was justified. This office routinely consults with law enforcement on homicides that investigative agencies have determined to be justified. In accordance with our common practice, upon completion of their investigation, should law enforcement make a final decision that a shooting is justified, we will meet with CMPD to provide a consultation on that decision not to charge."
Despite the shooting, CMPD said it is seeing an 18% decrease in violent crimes in the area, surrounding the Charlotte Transit Center. The agency focused its efforts there under what they are calling "Operation Heartbeat". The area includes the CTC, the open areas around Spectrum Center, the Epicentre parking deck as well as parking lots and garages adjacent to the transit center.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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