Talitha Perry, the mother of one of the other three victims from the May 23, 2025 shooting at Stroud Park Court in Charlotte, says Shaheem Snype is a hero.
“What Jamariyae’s dad did put smiles on all of our faces,” Perry told Queen City News.
The viral video shows Snype, the grieving father, rushing toward Marion McKnight, the man charged in the fatal shooting of his 16-year-old son, Jamariyae Dixon – striking him before deputies intervened inside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
According to Queen City News, Snype attacked McKnight before a hearing on whether McKnight’s bond should be revoked. The bond hearing has now been rescheduled for next month. McKnight had previously been released on bond in November 2025. Prosecutors say he violated the travel and social media conditions set by the judge.
McKnight was taken to a hospital for evaluation following the incident. In addition to the first-degree murder charge in Jamariyae’s death, McKnight is also charged with two counts of attempted murder involving Talitha Perry’s son, Nazyr Perry. Nazyr was left paralyzed from the waist down after being struck twice in the neck, as well as in the face and hand.
Nazyr worked as a security guard at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Another victim (name unknown) suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the ankle and was able to run a short distance before stopping for help, according to The Charlotte Observer.
“He got shot through his main jugular,” Talitha told Queen City News. “He lost his life two times. They brought him back.”
Talitha Perry’s son, Nazyr Perry, was among the three victims in the May 23, 2025 shooting that claimed the life of Jamariyae Dixon and left another victim injured with non-life-threatening injuries; Photo Credit: GoFundMe
Talitha also said their days are now filled with doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nurse visits. A GoFundMe campaign was set up last year and is still active to help cover Nazyr’s medical expenses. So far, it has raised $2,755 toward a $5,500 goal. Dixon’s mother, Lynnette Dixon, has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the legal fees Snype faces following the attack on McKnight, which she says was driven by pain and grief. In the campaign message, Dixon alleges that the accused killer has “repeatedly taunted the family on social media,” violating the terms of his release and causing ongoing distress. As of now, the campaign has raised $330 toward its $8,000 goal.
Other family members expressed emotional support for Snype, saying the viral moment reflected the depth of their grief. Dixon’s mother said to Queen City News that seeing the video brought a brief moment of emotional release amid ongoing pain. Meanwhile, Susan Sherrill, Dixon’s aunt, said any father might have reacted the same way.
Shaheem Snype, the father seen in the viral video, attacked accused murderer Marion McKnight (pictured on the right), who is charged in the killing of his 16-year-old son, Jamariyae Dixon; Photo Credit: GoFundMe and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
“The emotions got the best of him. He did what he had to do as a father. Any father would have done the same thing,” Sherrill said.
Michael 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.”
Following the incident, Snype was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury. He was later released the same day after posting a $1,000 bond.
