Man convicted in Gastonia police shooting

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 3 minutes read

A Charlotte man will spend 20 to 25 years in prison for shooting two law enforcement officers outside a Gastonia nightclub in 2020.

Allen Slaughter, 32, pleaded guilty Friday to charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Slaughter was arrested Nov. 12, 2020, after shooting into a crowd during a fight at Remedies Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, Assistant Prosecutor Chad Smith said in Gaston Superior Court.

The fight broke out inside the now-closed establishment and then moved to the parking lot, Smith said.

Gastonia Police Department Sgt. Eric Charles Nelson and now the Corp. Michael Lewis was working security at the bar, they tried to break up the fight and called for backup, Smith said.

Outside the club, the fighting continues. Video of the fight shows Slaughter “walking toward his vehicle that was in front of the club and then following Officer Lewis to the side of the club where the fight was taking place,” Smith said.

Slaughter “then took a position slightly behind the hood of a car that was there and opened fire on the crowd gathered there,” Smith said.

“There were nine shots fired based on the number of shell casings recovered at the scene,” Smith said.

Lewis was hit in the back, but he was wearing a tactical vest, which likely saved his life, Smith said. He was also hit in the lower leg.

Nelson was hit in the lower leg and foot.

Four other people — Laquan Shawn Keech, of Kannapolis, Ralchael Williams, of Charlotte, Anthony Davis, of Grover, and Jaerel Campbell, of Concord — were also shot during the fight. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

Slaughter and his accomplice, Alonzo Lewis Hamilton, tried to escape in a car driven by Hamilton and were arrested, Smith said.

Hamilton was declared incompetent to stand trial and is being housed at Broughton Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Morganton.

Nelson told Superior Court Judge David Phillips that his injuries have caused permanent disability and could eventually lead to the amputation of his leg.

“One of his bullets hit me on the inside of my left ankle,” Nelson said. “It was the start of a two-and-a-half year journey that included three reconstructive surgeries to alleviate more than 20 separate fractures and numerous torn ligaments.”

“The culmination of this series of surgeries and recoveries is a midfoot fusion with my left foot, a missing metatarsal and an approximate size reduction of my left foot by one and a half sizes, as well as a pain with every step,” Nelson said. “And finally, the probable and eventual amputation of my left leg below the knee.”

As a result, Nelson said, he is unable to work as a police officer, take long walks with his wife or play with his children.

“I can no longer be the father they deserve in many ways because they often have to hear 'no' from me, with sports or just playing in the yard, or whatever.” , Nelson said.

Slaughter's defense attorney, Norman Butler, said Slaughter accepts responsibility for the shooting and has worked to better himself during the more than three years he has spent in prison.

“He understands that law enforcement officers should be respected and not neglected,” Butler said. “He has developed a nonprofit organization that emphasizes respect, obedience and understanding…for police officers and all law enforcement officers, and I commend him for that. “

Slaughter completed various educational programs while in prison. He also has two children and he wants to be a part of their lives, Butler said.

He also intends to participate in all prison programs available to him.

Lina Portman

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