Man convicted in shooting of Gastonia police

A Charlotte man will spend 20 to 25 years in prison for shooting two law enforcement officers outside a Gastonia nightclub in 2020.

Allen Slaughter, 32, pleaded guilty Friday to charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Slaughter was arrested Nov. 12, 2020, after he shot into a crowd during a brawl at Remedies Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, Assistant District Attorney Chad Smith said in Gaston Superior Court.

The fight broke out inside the now-shuttered establishment, and then moved to the parking lot, Smith said.

Gastonia Police Department Sgt. Eric Charles Nelson and now Corp. Michael Lewis were working security at the bar, and they attempted to stop the fight and called for backup, Smith said.

Outside the club, the fighting continued. Video of the fight shows Slaughter "go out to his vehicle that is in the front of the club, then follow Officer Lewis out to the side of the club where the fight was going on," Smith said.

Slaughter then "takes a position slightly behind the hood of a car that's there and opens fire into the crowd of people gathered there," Smith said.

"There were nine shots fired based on the number of shell casings recovered on the scene," Smith said.

Lewis was struck in the back, but was wearing a tactical vest, which likely saved his life, Smith said. He also was struck in his lower leg.

Nelson was struck in the lower leg and foot.

Four other people — Laquan Shawn Keech, of Kannapolis, Ralchael Williams, of Charlotte, Anthony Davis, of Grover and Jaerel Campbell, of Concord — were also shot during the fight. Their injuries were not life threatening.

Slaughter and an accomplice, Alonzo Lewis Hamilton, tried to escape in a car, with Hamilton driving, and were stopped and arrested, Smith said.

Hamilton has been found incapable of proceeding to trial and is being housed at Broughton Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Morganton.

Nelson told Superior Court Judge David Phillips that his injuries have resulted in permanent disability and may ultimately result in the amputation of his leg.

"One of his bullets struck me in the inside of my left ankle," going into his foot, Nelson said. "This was the start of a 2 ½ year journey consisting of three reconstructive surgeries to mitigate over 20 separate fractures and numerous torn ligaments."

"The culmination of this series of surgeries and recoveries is a mid-foot fusion to my left foot, missing metatarsal, and approximate reduction of a shoe size of my left foot by a size and a half, and pain every time I take a step," Nelson said. "And lastly, the probable and eventual amputation of my left leg below the knee."

As a result, Nelson said, he is unable to work as a police officer, take long walks with his wife or play with his children.

"I no longer can be the father they deserve in many aspects because they have to hear 'no' from me a lot, with sports or just playing out in the yard, or anything else," Nelson said.

Slaughter's defense attorney, Norman Butler, said that Slaughter accepts responsibility in the shooting and has been working to better himself during the more than three years he has spent in jail.

"He understands that law enforcement officers are to be respected and not neglected," Butler said. "He has developed a nonprofit organization that emphasizes respect and obedience and understanding … regarding police officers and all law enforcement officers, and I commend him for that."

Slaughter has completed a variety of educational programs  in jail. He also has two children, and he wants to be a part of their lives, Butler said.

He also intends to engage in any prison programs available to him.

In a brief statement, Slaughter apologized to the officers.

After sentencing Slaughter, Phillips thanked law enforcement.

"I want to thank every officer, law enforcement officer, who puts their lives on the line every day," Phillips said. "Law enforcement is one of the few jobs that the prerequisite is that you may become disabled when you go to work, or, heaven forbid, that you lose your life when you put that uniform on."

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Man convicted in shooting of Gastonia police