Anthony Stancil, 35 years old, an eight year veteran of the Mecklenburg
County Sheriff's Department, and a former Marine, died Tuesday, September 29, 1998.
Captain Stancil, who was filling in at the last minute for a fellow deputy working
off-duty as a security officer at the Harris Teeter on W.T. Harris Boulevard, was shot and
killed in the parking lot of the supermarket during a confrontation with a shoplifting
suspect.After a nine-hour manhunt composed of officers from across the region, as well
as South Carolina, 23 year old, Samuel Emmanuel Mahatha, was arrested and charged with the
first-degree murder of Captain Anthony Stancil.
More than 1,500 people came to show their respects to Stancil at the memorial service
conducted by Dr. Paul W. Drummond, pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church. He was laid to
rest at Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery.
Television stations, after broadcasting the news of Stancil's murder, were swamped with
phone calls from viewers asking how they could help his family. Ace and T. J. of WNKS-FM
kicked off an impromptu fund drive for the family of Captain Stancil. More than $160,000
as well as toys and gift certificates were sent to the radio station. In total over
one-half million dollars consisting of scholarships and donations were raised for the
Anthony Stancil Memorial Fund, established by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department.
Captain Anthony Stancil leaves behind to treasure his memory, his wife Stephanie and
their three children; the youngest, Antoinette, born 140 days after his death, was named
in his memory.
