Derrick Terrell Manigault

Jan 10

Written By M T

39 years old · Gastonia, North Carolina · January 10, 2026

Who he was

Derrick Terrell Manigault was 39 years old and lived in Gastonia, North Carolina. He was a man of deep curiosity, quiet intellect, and a gentle heart. A devoted history buff and voracious reader, he found joy in learning and in stories. His favorite was Game of Thrones. He worked at times as a chef. His greatest daily companion was his rescue dog, Luna, who rarely left his side. He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Manigault. He is survived by his wife Rebecca Insley, his grandfather Samuel Manigault of New York, aunts, and cousins — including two he regarded as siblings. His wife described him as a gentle giant: "He was brilliant. He could speak for hours about whatever the topic was. He was a voracious reader and just had a wealth of knowledge about any and every topic." She added: "I think it's important that people don't rush to judgment either way. Oftentimes, you hear of an officer-involved shooting and assume there was a bad guy. My husband wasn't a bad guy."

Derrick had been released from prison in 2023 after serving more than 24 years on a first-degree rape conviction from 1999. His wife said he was 15 years old when he was falsely accused by an adult white woman, prosecuted as an adult, and advised by his attorney to plead guilty.

What happened

On January 10, 2026, around 5:45 p.m., two plainclothes Gastonia Police detectives — identified in the DA's report only as Detective C.H. and Sergeant C.E. — were conducting an undercover alcohol compliance check inside Jakob's Food Mart at 1406 Gaston Avenue. Manigault arrived at the store, got out of his Nissan, and reached back into the car to retrieve what appeared to be a black handgun, which he tucked into his waistband. He got into an argument with another customer, David Sanders. The argument moved inside the store. During the confrontation, Manigault was heard saying "You trying to lose your life tonight?" at least three times. Detective C.H., observing Manigault produce what appeared to be a handgun and hold it at his side, fired at Manigault. Sergeant C.E., who was outside in an unmarked vehicle, heard the shots, exited his vehicle, and fired as well after seeing Manigault running away with what he believed was a real firearm. The officers pursued Manigault as he crossed Airline Avenue. Manigault was struck multiple times and died at Caromont Regional Medical Center. The firearm was later confirmed to be a replica. Because the officers were plainclothes, neither was wearing a body camera. A cellphone video and partial store surveillance footage were later released.

Official ruling

Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page ruled the shooting justified and declined to file charges. His report stated the Constitution "does not require police to gamble with their lives in the face of a serious threat of harm," and that Manigault's actions "create an inherent reasonable doubt as to whether the officers involved acted justifiably." The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducted the review and forwarded findings to the DA. The officers were not publicly identified by name and have returned to active duty.

Contested record

Rebecca Insley Manigault disputes the ruling directly: "My confidence is shattered. The wrong decision was made." She says the footage released by the department tells an incomplete story: "The subsequent report and even footage that has been released does not tell the whole story — it was carefully selected to tell their narrative. About 95% of the interaction my husband had that night with the two officers happened outside of the store." She also states no verbal commands were given before the shooting: "There were no verbal commands. There was nothing to comply with." The DA's report does not address whether commands were issued before Detective C.H. fired.

Because the officers were working plainclothes, no body camera footage of the encounter exists. The officers' full names have not been publicly released. The family was not notified by police — Rebecca learned of her husband's death in the early hours of January 11 from his aunt

Legal process

January 10, 2026 — Derrick Manigault shot by plainclothes Gastonia Police officers at Jakob's Food Mart. Transported to Caromont Regional Medical Center.

January 12, 2026 — Manigault pronounced dead. North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation opens review.

May 9–11, 2026 — DA Travis Page rules shooting justified. No charges filed. Surveillance footage released publicly by Gastonia Police Department. Officers return to active duty.

As of May 31, 2026 — Case closed. No charges. Officers not publicly identified. Family contests the ruling.