Shelby NC Police Officer Fired

"Inappropriate use of force is unacceptable." Those are the words of Shelby Police Chief Brad Fraser.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, officers with the Shelby Police Department were conducting a criminal investigation when they encountered a woman they considered suspicious in the area. Video from a doorbell camera that has been circulating on social media shows a uniformed police officer taking a woman to the ground and punching her multiple times in the face.

Chief Fraser described the officer's actions as "disturbing and inappropriate." A second officer is seen intervening, while a third officer arrives as the woman is being handcuffed and taken into custody. According to a press release from Chief Fraser, the officer involved was terminated Saturday morning, May 30, 2026.

A statement issued Saturday by Shelby City Manager Justin Merritt said in part: "While yesterday’s [Friday] incident is still raw and difficult to understand, today marks the beginning of a path forward to repair the damage that has been done. This is a path that we must walk together, hand in hand, unified with the common goal of understanding, supporting each other and strengthening the fabric of a community we all hold so dear."

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has launched an investigation and will submit its findings to the District Attorney's Office for review once the investigation is complete.