A domestic altercation between Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston and his ex-wife resulted in his criminal summons.
Winston’s lawyer says the summons, first reported by the Charlotte Observer, was filed by his ex-wife, Sheena Hopkins-Winston after she was arrested for simple assault.
Criminal summons, unlike an arrest warrant, does not call for arrest but orders the subject of the complaint to appear in court to answer questions regarding the charges.
Criminal summonses are typically issued when an incident is reported to but not witnessed by police.
According to court documents, Braxton Winston says on Jan.5, his ex-wife popped up at his home unannounced and was recording vehicles in his driveway.
When he questioned why she was there and asked her to leave, she threw a cable cord at him and began punching him in the face. He added that she ripped his shirt and clawed into his chest.
Winston filed a restraining order last week and wrote on the request form “I believe Sheena is mentally unwell and my children are taking on an unhealthy responsibility of trying to operate as adults when she is unable.”
He notes that their three children, ages 14, 9, and 6, witnessed the altercation, and this is one of many incidents where she has caused conflict around them.
Court documents say that he is currently seeking full custody.
“Domestic violence is a trauma that affects too many families in our community. My family is not exempt,” said Braxton Winston in a statement released by his lawyers.
“It is important that survivors are able to have faith that our systems will provide protection and justice when traumas occur. It is important to remember, regardless of status, all genders can be victims of domestic violence,” he added.
The 38-year-old Democrat was first elected as an at-large member of City Council in 2017 and is serving his second term.
Winston, a Davidson College graduate, gained a following in the city after participating in protests and marches in Charlotte in response to the fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in 2016.
Winston and his ex-wife relationship has been in the public eye after their divorce in 2019 when the council member was alleged to having an affair and failing to pay child support.
This story is developing.
