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Man shot, killed inside Carolina Place Mall not armed; investigation continues

By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com
By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com

PINEVILLE, N.C. — Channel 9 learned the man shot and killed inside Carolina Place Mall was unarmed.

The shooting happened Sunday at the DTLR store on the second floor of the mall in Pineville.

"We were actually following it, because we were like, ‘Oh, we were there,’" shopper Darlene Dockerty said.

['I had an employee shoot someone': 911 call released in Carolina Place Mall shooting]

Dockerty was in the mall near Dillard’s when an employee at the nearby DTLR shoe store allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Khali Holmes.

She wants to know why the employee fired that gun.

[LINK: Carolina Place Mall Code of Conduct]

Police said Holmes went into the store and started a physical fight.

Legal expert John Snyder said that it’s good to take some time to make a decision on charges.

"There could be long-running issues, threats," Snyder, who is an attorney, said.

Snyder, who isn't connected to the case, said that behind the scenes police are likely taking a closer look at the relationship between Holmes and the employee.

The possible charges could depend on whether the employee feared for his life.

Whether the employee had reason to fear for his life Sunday could impact what the employee is charged with, or whether he is charged at all.

"This is good as opposed to a knee-jerk reaction of, 'We're charging this person with murder and then later, we learn it was pleaded out to something much lower," Snyder said.

Some asked if it's legal for an employee to carry a gun inside a store at the mall.

Snyder said the employee may have had a concealed carry license, which would legally allow him to have a gun inside the store.

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