Man facing federal civil rights charges after making racial remarks at Indian customers, threatening them with gun at Charlotte pizza shop

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal prosecutors say a man is facing charges after he reportedly walked into a NoDa pizza shop while armed and threatened Indian customers while making racially charged remarks about them in June 2024.

The U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Charlotte announced Thursday that 31-year-old Maurice Hopkins faces three federal civil rights charges tied to an incident that unfolded at Zämbies Pizza, located on North Davidson Street. Hopkins faces three charges tied to him reportedly intimidating eight customers while they were trying to eat at the restaurant. He’s charged with interference with federally protected activities, federally protected housing rights, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 

He was forced to forfeit any guns and ammunition he had.

Hopkins was originally arrested a few days after the incident, which happened on June 8, 2024, by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. An arrest affidavit accessible in public county court documents claims Hopkins entered Zämbies Pizza and started making his remarks to the group of customers. Someone told him to leave, but Hopkins reportedly said they’d have to call the police to make him go away.

The CMPD affidavit is embedded below. One profane word is included in it. Reader discretion is advised.

Hopkins left on his own accord but said he “had something” for the group and that he was going to “get his AR”, referring to an assault rifle. When he returned, someone saw a red-tip sight on Hopkins’ gun and tried to intervene. Hopkins demanded a pizza he reportedly ordered earlier, but left without it.

The car Hopkins used to drive away was tracked down using surveillance video from the pizzeria. A woman who was the registered owner of the car was able to confirm Hopkins was driving it at the time of the incident.

Initially, he was charged by CMPD with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, going armed to the terror of the public, and two counts of communicating threats. Mecklenburg County court documents show prosecutors dropped the attempted robbery charge. He is also banned from the pizzeria.

Jail records show he was initially granted a $50,000 secured bond which he posted. Federal court filings also indicate he was arrested in November 2024 and is detained pending an arraignment and detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26.

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