Candidate for Mecklenburg commissioner targeted in drive-by shooting, police say
A drive-by shooting at the Huntersville home of Mecklenburg County commissioner candidate Aaron Marin Monday night “was targeted in nature and does not appear to be a random act of violence,” according to a police statement Thursday.
Police said they believe the shooting was targeted because “the homeowner is a candidate in a local political race.”
“Out of an abundance of caution,” police said, they called in the FBI to help investigate the shooting. Police said they and the FBI continue “to collect and analyze evidence and follow all viable leads.”
Officers found spent shell casings in the road and several vehicles in a driveway damaged by gunfire, according to the police statement. No one was injured, police said.
Candidate says shooting was ‘targeted’
In a news release Tuesday, Marin said he was inside with his wife and their two young sons when shots hit the home around 7:40 p.m. “By the grace of God, we are alive,” Marin said. “But our family is shaken, and this is not something any family in Mecklenburg County should ever experience.”
He said his home “was deliberately targeted” but said he wouldn’t speculate on a motive. He said he “will not be intimidated.”
Marin is the only Republican running to represent County Commission District 1, which includes parts of north Charlotte and the towns of Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius. He’ll face the winner of a three-person Democratic primary in the November general election.
Incumbent Elaine Powell, who defeated Marin in 2024, isn’t seeking reelection.
Police urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Huntersville police Detective G. Aron at 704-464-5517 or garon@huntersville.org, or the North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers anonymous tips site, www.northmeckcrimestoppers.org.
Staff writer Mary Ramsey contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 11:20 AM.