Lillington Police Department Faces Allegations of Excessive Force Against Juveniles

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. – A North Carolina family is seeking answers after video footage emerged showing a Lillington police officer using physical force against a handcuffed 12-year-old boy during a January 1 incident at a residential basketball court. The footage, which has not been independently verified by mainstream media outlets, has raised questions about use-of-force policies within the Lillington Police Department.

Incident Overview 

According to a report published January 3 by The North Carolina Beat, Deonnia Lyon claims her two sons—17-year-old Zamauri Chance and 12-year-old Carter Chance—were playing basketball at their godparents' residence in the Vandercroft Farms community when Lillington police responded to a 911 call about a possible firearm.

The publication reports that a neighbor called emergency services after seeing an individual in a red shirt allegedly carrying a gun at the basketball court. The North Carolina Beat quotes Lyon stating that the person in question admitted to police he had possessed a firearm but insisted he was not armed at the time of officers' arrival.

Video Documentation 

Video footage provided to The North Carolina Beat shows two Lillington police officers interacting with three juveniles at the scene. The North Carolina Beat reports that the footage depicts Officer Andrew Kesick attempting to handcuff Zamauri Chance on the ground, while another officer restrains a different youth on the basketball court.

The footage then shows Officer Kesick running toward Carter Chance and tackling him to the ground. The North Carolina Beat reports that while both brothers were seated on the ground in handcuffs, the officer placed his hands around Carter's neck area. The publication notes that Carter can be identified in the footage by his distinct footwear—one orange shoe and one green shoe.

Officer Kesick allegedly told Lyon that Carter had "squared up" with him, though the video appears to show the 12-year-old seated with his hands behind his back, according to The North Carolina Beat's account.

Injuries Reported

Lyon provided photographs to The North Carolina Beat documenting injuries to both boys. She stated that Zamauri required five stitches to his earlobe after being restrained by officers, while Carter suffered facial bruising and a dislocated shoulder. These claims have not been independently verified by medical professionals or law enforcement officials.

Official Response

of January 3, The North Carolina Beat reported that the Lillington Police Department had not responded to its requests for comment regarding the incident or the conduct shown in the video. Multiple attempts by other media outlets to reach department officials have also been unsuccessful.

The Lillington Police Department, which serves approximately 3,600 residents in Harnett County, does not appear to have issued a public statement about the incident on its official website or social media channels.

Legal Framework

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1.4A, body-worn camera footage is classified as confidential and is not considered a public record. Release of such recordings requires either consent from individuals depicted in the footage or a court order.

North Carolina law also requires law enforcement officers to intervene and report excessive force. G.S. 15A-401(d1) mandates that officers who observe force exceeding authorized levels must attempt to intervene when safe to do so and report the incident within 72 hours to a superior officer.

Context of Police Accountability in Harnett County

Incident follows previous use-of-force controversies in Harnett County. In December 2018, a Harnett County sheriff's deputy was placed on administrative leave after video emerged showing him physically restraining two teenage girls during a vehicle search. That incident prompted an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

The Lillington Police Department operates independently from the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, which serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the county's unincorporated areas.

Ongoing Investigation

North Carolina Beat reports this is a developing story. Standard law enforcement protocol would typically involve internal review of use-of-force incidents, potentially supplemented by external investigation from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation or other oversight bodies. Information has been released regarding whether Officer Kesick remains on active duty or has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation.

Sources and Attribution

Claims in this article are attributed to reporting by The North Carolina Beat and statements from Deonnia Lyon as published in that outlet. No independent verification of the video footage, medical records, or official reports has been conducted by mainstream media organizations at this time. The Lillington Police Department has not issued public statements confirming or denying the allegations.

For updates on this developing story, official statements from the Lillington Police Department or Harnett County authorities would provide additional clarity on the department's response and any investigative findings.

Article Information

Location: Harnett County, North Carolina

Date of Incident: January 1, 2025

Reporting Date: January 3, 2026

Primary Source: The North Carolina Beat

Agencies Mentioned: Lillington Police Department, Harnett County Sheriff's Office

Keywords: Lillington Police Department, police use of force, Harnett County, North Carolina law enforcement, juvenile custody, police misconduct allegations

Note: This article is based on reporting from The North Carolina Beat, which first published the story and video footage. For the most current information, readers should monitor for official statements from the Lillington Police Department or Harnett County authorities.

Contributor: Todd Richardson

Published on January  3,  2026