SBI Says Derrick Manigault’s Weapon Looked Real As Gastonia Detectives Opened Fire During Chaotic Store Confrontation
A deadly officer-involved shooting inside a convenience store in Gastonia is now officially being ruled justified after investigators confirmed the man shot by police was holding what appeared to be a real handgun — but was actually a replica firearm.
According to the Gastonia Police Department, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation completed its investigation into the January 10, 2026 shooting death of 39-year-old Derrick Manigault outside Jakob’s Food Mart on Gaston Avenue.
The case findings were later turned over to Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page, who has reportedly decided not to pursue criminal charges against the officers involved.
The shooting happened around 5:45 p.m. when two plainclothes Gastonia detectives were inside Jakob’s Food Mart at 1406 Gaston Avenue conducting a routine alcohol compliance check.
Police say Manigault entered the store already upset following an argument in the parking lot with another customer moments earlier. Investigators say tensions quickly escalated once both men were inside the store.
According to officials, surveillance video captured Manigault repeatedly threatening the other customer, allegedly saying three separate times, “Do you want to lose your life tonight?”
That’s when investigators say the situation turned deadly.
Police say Manigault suddenly pulled what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband while continuing to make threats inside the store.
One of the detectives inside the business reportedly witnessed the confrontation firsthand while standing near the counter. Believing the weapon was real and fearing for the safety of everyone inside, the detective opened fire.
Authorities say Manigault then ran out of the store with the firearm still in his hand. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him looking back toward officers while raising the weapon in his right hand.
A second plainclothes detective positioned outside the store heard the gunfire and saw Manigault exiting the business still armed. That detective also fired his weapon.
Manigault collapsed a short distance away from the convenience store.
Officers immediately began rendering emergency medical aid until paramedics arrived. Manigault was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The SBI later determined the gun Manigault displayed was not an actual firearm, but investigators noted that it closely resembled a real weapon.
Because the detectives involved were working in plain clothes during the compliance operation, they were not wearing body cameras at the time of the shooting.
Gastonia Police Chief Trent Conard addressed the incident publicly following the release of the investigation findings.
“Any loss of life is tragic, but on the night of January 10, 2026, as seen in the video, it was Mr. Manigault who put this sequence of events into motion,” Conard stated. “As the video depicts, Mr. Manigault’s gun was a realistic replica firearm. Our officers acted quickly to protect themselves and the other citizens believing that Mr. Manigault’s weapon was real.”
The Gastonia Police Department says its own internal administrative review of the shooting remains ongoing.
