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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A dramatic scene unfolded at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Thursday, captured in newly obtained video by Queen City News. In a shocking turn of events, the father of a murder victim launched a physical attack on the accused inside the courthouse.
The incident involved Shaheem Snype, the father of 16-year-old Jamariyae Dixon, who was tragically killed last spring. The accused, Marion McKnight, is facing charges of first-degree murder for Dixon’s death and attempted murder for allegedly shooting two others during the same incident.
As McKnight awaited legal proceedings, emotions reached a boiling point when Snype confronted him outside the courtroom. Overcome by grief and anger, Snype resorted to punching and kicking McKnight in a visceral expression of his pain.
Speaking on the matter, Susan Sherrill, Dixon’s aunt, reflected on the emotional turmoil that led to the courthouse altercation. “He did what he had to do as a father,” Sherrill explained, empathizing with Snype’s reaction. “Any father would have done 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.”
“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.
Queen City News didn’t immediately hear back from McKnight’s lawyer for comment.
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