Jury convicts man who fired at CMPD officer outside of a Budget Inn in Charlotte
Stephen Smith, 36, shot at a CMPD officer in May 2021 after police identified him as a suspect. Shelton Smith, 36, was convicted of attempted first-degree murder after he fired at a police officer outside of a Budget Inn in 2021. The incident occurred after police were investigating an armed robbery at a nearby Royal Inn. Officer Trey Hinton attempted to speak with Smith after Smith matched a description of the suspect. Smith began to run away from Hinton before pulling out a gun and firing at him, which Hinton perceived as a lethal threat. Smith was wounded and taken to a hospital. A trial for Smith in 2022 ended in a mistrial, so Mecklenburg prosecutors took the case before a jury again starting June 4. Smith will serve at least 27 years in prison.
Published : 10 months ago by Kate Robins in
A man who shot at a Charlotte police officer outside of a Budget Inn in May 2021 was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder by a jury on Tuesday.
Shelton Smith, 36, encountered officers in the 4300 block of Old Interstate Road after police were investigating an armed robbery at a nearby Royal Inn.
CMPD Officer Trey Hinton attempted to speak with Smith after Smith matched a description of the suspect, according to prosecutors. Smith began to run away from Hinton before pulling out a gun and firing in the direction of the officer. Hinton perceived the gunfire “as a lethal threat” and shot and wounded Smith, according to CMPD.
Smith was taken to a hospital and stabilized.
A trial for Smith in 2022 ended in a mistrial, so Mecklenburg prosecutors took the case before a jury again starting June 4.
Smith was also found guilty on Tuesday of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and for being an armed habitual felon.
Judge Robert C. Ervin sentenced Smith to at least 27 years in prison.
Topics: Crime