Shelton Smith Arrested, – The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office announced that 36-year-old Shelton Smith has been convicted of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers over three years ago. During a weeklong trial, a jury found Smith guilty of the offense.
The incident occurred on May 27, 2021, when CMPD detectives were investigating an armed robbery at a motel on Reagan Drive. Two victims were robbed by three suspects during the incident. Detectives identified a Mercury Grand Marquis as a suspect vehicle and two of the three suspects. At another motel on Old Interstate Road, they located the car and identified Smith as the third suspect. When officers attempted to arrest Smith, he fled. After a chase, Smith started shooting at the officers. One officer returned fire, injuring Smith and enabling his arrest. The officer’s actions were deemed justified, and no officers were harmed.
Apart from the attempted murder charge, Smith was also accused of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and being an armed habitual felon. Smith had previously faced trial in 2022, but a mistrial was declared due to jurors’ inability to reach a unanimous verdict. However, during the recent trial, he was found guilty of all three charges. The other two individuals involved in the 2021 motel robbery have already been convicted of offenses related to the incident.