Charlotte, North Carolina, February 18, 2026
Antonio Rollins, 33, has been convicted of first-degree murder and firearm possession following a shooting in Charlotte that killed 25-year-old Demarcus Mack. The incident occurred in February 2020, when Rollins fired shots from a vehicle, resulting in Mack sustaining a fatal injury. Rollins has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. His prior legal history includes over 50 charges, highlighting a pattern of serious criminal activity before this conviction.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Man Convicted in Fatal 2020 Charlotte Shooting
A Charlotte man, Antonio Rollins, 33, was convicted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with a 2020 shooting that killed 25-year-old Demarcus Mack. Rollins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The fatal incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on February 29, 2020. Prosecutors stated that Rollins and Mack were passengers in a Dodge Magnum when they began following a Ford Mustang spotted at a gas station on Brookshire Boulevard. Rollins fired multiple shots from the Magnum at the Mustang. One of the bullets tragically went through the roof of the Magnum, striking Mack in the back of the head. Two other shots hit the Mustang, causing it to crash into a railroad embankment. Mack died the day after the shooting. Surveillance video captured Rollins carrying Mack into a nearby hospital and then fleeing the scene moments later. The trial that led to Rollins’ conviction began on February 9, 2026.
This conviction is not the first time Rollins has faced serious charges. Court records indicate that Rollins had more than 50 charges in Mecklenburg County prior to 2020, including a previously dismissed murder case from November 2014, where he was accused of killing 19-year-old Jose Cuestas at a car wash. The charges in that case were dropped in May 2017, with no public reason provided for the dismissal.
City Leaders Address Street Vending Policy Amidst New Restrictions
Charlotte city leaders convened a public input session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to gather community feedback on proposed changes to the city’s street vending regulations. The session, held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., focused on two key areas: the potential expansion of street vending restrictions beyond the current Congested Business District (which primarily covers Uptown) to other high-traffic neighborhoods like NoDa and South End, and the introduction of criminal penalties, specifically a Class III misdemeanor, for illegal vending operations.
The discussion comes on the heels of a new ban on street vending that took effect in the NoDa neighborhood on Monday, February 16, 2026. This ban followed the conclusion of a six-month pilot program for street vendors in NoDa, which the City Council Safety Committee decided to end in January 2026 due to reported negative impacts on the area. After February 15, 2026, any unauthorized vending activity in NoDa is subject to enforcement and may result in a $500 citation.
During the public input session, both street vendors and brick-and-mortar business owners shared their perspectives. Business owners voiced concerns regarding the disparities in operational costs and regulatory requirements between permanent establishments and mobile vendors. They emphasized the importance of supporting small-scale vendors while also protecting the investments of traditional storefronts. Vendors, on the other hand, highlighted difficulties with the existing permit application process, describing it as cumbersome and inefficient. City staff are expected to evaluate the input received and provide recommendations to the full City Council for future policy decisions.
NC State Dominates Rival UNC in Basketball Showdown
In a significant State-level athletic event, the NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team decisively defeated the 16th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels with a final score of 82-58 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina. This 24-point margin marked one of NC State’s largest victories over their rival since February 14, 1962.
NC State controlled the game from early on, establishing a double-digit lead in the first half and never looking back. Quadir Copeland led the Wolfpack with 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, while freshman Matt Able contributed 19 points, including five three-pointers. The Wolfpack showcased strong defense, holding North Carolina to 31.7 percent shooting from the field and a mere 15.2 percent from beyond the arc, which was a season-low field goal percentage for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels were notably short-handed, playing their second consecutive game without key freshman star Caleb Wilson, who is recovering from a fractured hand, and big man Henri Veesaar, out with a lower-body injury. Wilson and Veesaar are crucial to UNC’s scoring and rebounding, accounting for over 40% of their points and rebounds. Following this victory, NC State improved its record to 19-8 overall and 10-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), while North Carolina’s record stands at 20-6 overall and 8-5 in the ACC.
Arrest Made in North York Family Stabbing Incident
Toronto, Ontario
A 53-year-old man was arrested on Monday, February 16, 2026, following a violent stabbing incident at a residence in the North York area of Toronto. Police were called to a home near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West at approximately 9:45 p.m. where they discovered four adult family members injured during a physical altercation involving a knife.
Among the injured were two male victims, aged 23 and 26, who sustained serious stab wounds. Additionally, two female victims, aged 51 and 29, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. All five individuals present at the residence were confirmed to be family members. The accused, whose name has not been released by authorities to protect the identities of the victims, was arrested at the scene and was not injured.
The arrested individual faces multiple charges, including three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of assault with a weapon, and one count of assault causing bodily harm. He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Toronto Police confirmed they are not seeking any additional suspects in connection with the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the fatal 2020 Charlotte shooting?
Antonio Rollins, 33, was convicted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with a 2020 shooting that killed 25-year-old Demarcus Mack.
What was the sentence for Antonio Rollins?
Antonio Rollins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
When did the Charlotte street vending policy public input session take place?
Charlotte city leaders convened a public input session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to gather community feedback on proposed changes to the city’s street vending regulations.
What were the key topics discussed at the Charlotte street vending policy session?
The discussion focused on the potential expansion of street vending restrictions beyond the current Congested Business District (Uptown) to other high-traffic neighborhoods like NoDa and South End, and the introduction of criminal penalties, specifically a Class III misdemeanor, for illegal vending operations.
What was the outcome of the NC State vs. UNC basketball game (State-level)?
The NC State Wolfpack men’s basketball team decisively defeated the 16th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels with a final score of 82-58 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Who were the top scorers for NC State in the game?
Quadir Copeland led the Wolfpack with 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, while freshman Matt Able contributed 19 points, including five three-pointers.
When did the Toronto stabbing incident occur?
A 53-year-old man was arrested on Monday, February 16, 2026, following a violent stabbing incident at a residence in the North York area of Toronto.
How many people were injured in the Toronto stabbing?
Four adult family members were injured during a physical altercation involving a knife. Two male victims, aged 23 and 26, sustained serious stab wounds, and two female victims, aged 51 and 29, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Summary of Recent News Events
| Event | Location/Scope | Date/Time | Key Outcome/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Conviction | Charlotte, North Carolina | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | Antonio Rollins convicted of first-degree murder for 2020 shooting, sentenced to life in prison. |
| Street Vending Policy Discussion | Charlotte, North Carolina | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | Public input session on expanding vending regulations and implementing criminal penalties. |
| College Basketball Game | Raleigh, North Carolina (State-level) | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | NC State defeated 16th-ranked UNC 82-58; Quadir Copeland led NC State with 20 points. |
| Family Stabbing Incident | Toronto, Ontario | Monday, February 16, 2026 (approx. 9:45 p.m.) | 53-year-old man arrested after four family members injured in a knife altercation. |
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