Father Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting Son’s Accused Killer During North Carolina Court Hearing

 A courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, erupted into violence on February 19, 2026, when a father allegedly attacked the man accused of killing his son. Shaheem Snype, 47, reportedly struck 21-year-old Marion McKnight, who faces charges in the May 23, 2025, shooting that claimed the life of Snype’s 16-year-old son, Jamariyae Dixon, and injured two others. The altercation took place inside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse during scheduled proceedings, leaving McKnight bloodied and requiring transport to a hospital for treatment.

According to court records, Snype repeatedly struck McKnight in the head and upper body, an attack captured on video that has circulated online, showing the tense and emotional confrontation. The incident occurred shortly after a motion to revoke McKnight’s bond had been filed earlier in the week, highlighting the heightened emotions surrounding the case. McKnight had been out on bond since mid-November, awaiting trial on one count of murder and at least two counts of attempted murder related to the deadly shooting.

Authorities acted quickly to detain Snype, charging him with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury. He was later released on a $1,000 unsecured bond, though the courthouse remains under review to determine how such an incident could have occurred inside a secure facility. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and whether additional security measures were violated during the proceedings.

The shooting that sparked this courtroom confrontation left a community in mourning. Jamariyae Dixon, only 16 at the time of his death, was remembered by family and friends as a bright and vibrant teenager with his whole life ahead of him. The pain of his loss is now compounded by the violent outburst in court, as his father, acting on grief and anger, found himself on the other side of the law.

McKnight remains hospitalized, though authorities have not released details on the extent of his injuries. The case against him continues, with prosecutors pursuing charges for murder and attempted murder, and the recent courthouse attack adds a complex layer to the legal proceedings. Both the court system and the community are grappling with how grief, anger, and justice intersect in such high-profile cases.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense emotions tied to violent crimes and the challenges courts face in maintaining safety and order. As the investigation continues, the Mecklenburg County Courthouse plans to review security protocols to prevent future altercations, while the community of Charlotte mourns the tragic loss of a young life and watches closely as the judicial process moves forward.