Grieving Father Confronts Son’s Alleged Killer in Dramatic N.C. Courtroom Incident

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A dramatic incident unfolded within the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Thursday, as revealed by newly obtained video footage by Queen City News.

The footage captures a father, driven by grief and rage, launching a physical attack on the man accused of murdering his teenage son. The accused, Marion McKnight, faced a barrage of punches and kicks from Shaheem Snype, the father of 16-year-old Jamariyae Dixon, who was tragically shot and killed last spring.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have charged McKnight with first-degree murder for Dixon’s death. Additionally, McKnight faces charges for the attempted murder of two other individuals involved in the incident.

Susan Sherrill, the victim’s aunt, expressed understanding of Snype’s actions, attributing them to overwhelming emotions. “He did what he had to do as a father,” Sherrill remarked. “Any father would’ve done the same. We’re still grieving. This wound will never heal because my nephew was only 16, and he should still be with us.”

“He did what he had to do as a father,” Sherrill said. “Any father would’ve did the same thing. We’re still grieving. This is a wound that will never ever close because my nephew was 16 years old, and he should still be here with us.”

McKnight was released on a $100,000 bond for the murder charge, which Dixon’s family said never should have happened.

Queen City News asked the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office if prosecutors argued against bond in the case. A spokesperson referred us to a prosecutor’s motion this week to revoke bond, which was not immediately available to view.

That release led to the face-to-face courthouse meeting before a bond hearing. Lynnette Dixon, Jamariyae’s mother, wasn’t there when the fight happened but saw the video.

“My face smiled,” she said. “I smiled. That was the first time I had a real smile since my son been gone.”

McKnight went to the hospital after the attack. Snype was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Dixon said she’s proud of him, although she still misses everything about her son, who was a football player and honor student.

“Every year I got a happy birthday text, happy Mother’s Day, happy Valentine’s Day,” Dixon said. “I never get none of that no more.”

Thursday’s hearing was related to a prosecutor’s motion to revoke McKnight’s bond. The hearing will be rescheduled.

Mike Kabakoff, McKnight’s attorney, said in a statement, “This was the most violent assault I’ve seen in a courthouse in my 22 years as a lawyer. Any parent can sympathize with the intense grief of losing a child, but the violence we saw in Court on Thursday was unacceptable. 

While I cannot comment on the specific facts of the case, Mr. McKnight’s bond conditions were set at a lengthy bond hearing by a Superior Court Judge who is himself a former law enforcement officer and who carefully reviewed multiple videos that captured the May 23, 2025 incident, as well as statements by independent witnesses, all of which – we contend – show a person exercising his legal right to defend himself.”