Captain Anthony Stancil, a 35-year-old African American man and Marine Corps veteran, was shot dead on September 29, 1998, in Charlotte, North Carolina, while working a moonlighting shift as a security guard at a Harris Teeter grocery store. The confrontation began when he challenged a shoplifter who had taken $11 worth of snow crab legs; during the encounter the suspect shot Captain Stancil in the head, killing him instantly, then took Stancil’s .40-caliber service weapon and fled.

The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Samuel Emanuel Mahatha, was arrested after a nine-hour manhunt near the scene. During the search officers found the decomposing body of a female near where Mahatha was apprehended. Mahatha was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon; his trial was held in January 2001 and jurors returned a guilty verdict on February 9, 2001. Witnesses at the scene testified that they saw the confrontation, a gunshot, Stancil on the ground, and Mahatha running away with something shiny in his hand.

Captain Stancil had served eight years with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and was survived by his expectant wife, two children, his parents, and a sister. He was honored posthumously by the Sheriff’s Office at Peace Officers Memorial Services.

If anyone knew Captain Stancil or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.