The trial of Antwoine McCants, 56, began with opening statements on Sept. 23 in Hamilton County, where he faces murder and felonious assault charges in the June 2025 shooting death of Christopher Stallworth. Prosecutors say McCants shot Stallworth after a parking dispute outside a Shake Shack and that surveillance footage captures the incident. The defense argues McCants fired in self-defense after Stallworth appeared to reach into a pocket; McCants made a 911 call saying, "I just shot someone." A key eyewitness, Stallworth's fiancée Atiya Muhammadel, revised her account about whether Stallworth was armed, and police later recovered a handgun on the restaurant patio. The trial will continue this week and McCants plans to testify after prosecutors finish presenting their witnesses.
Jury Weighs Murder vs. Self-Defense in Fatal Shake Shack Shooting Near University of Cincinnati
Opening statements have begun in the case of Antwoine McCants, 56, who is charged with murder and felonious assault in the June 2025 death of 41-year-old Christopher Stallworth. The trial in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court centers on whether McCants unlawfully killed Stallworth after a parking dispute, or whether he fired in self-defense.
Prosecutors say the encounter started on the street outside the Shake Shack near the University of Cincinnati, when McCants and his wife stopped their three-wheeled motorcycles in a travel lane to back into a parking space and crossed paths with Stallworth and his fiancée. Prosecutors say the fiancée told police McCants flashed a handgun at her during that street confrontation.
According to the state’s account, Stallworth went into the restaurant to confront McCants. Inside, prosecutors allege, McCants pointed a gun at Stallworth and pulled the trigger; the weapon initially did not fire because there was no round in the chamber. Prosecutors say McCants then racked the gun, fired, and struck Stallworth in the chest. Stallworth staggered onto the restaurant patio, collapsed in the bushes and later died at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
"A misunderstanding over a parking spot did not have to end with Christopher Stallworth's death," Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Jackie Stachowiak told jurors. "It ended that way because Antwoine McCants chose to pull and fire a gun."
Prosecutors emphasized that witnesses did not see Stallworth produce a firearm and that surveillance footage from inside the restaurant captures the shooting, they said. McCants also told police he did not see Stallworth with a gun.
Defense: Confrontation, Fear and a Misfire
McCants' attorneys described a different version. They say Stallworth entered the Shake Shack not to order food but to confront McCants, following the street encounter. Attorney Lindsay Arway told jurors Stallworth paced the restaurant, sat across from McCants while making a phone call and then moved toward him, accusing McCants of threatening his fiancée.
The defense contends McCants drew his firearm only after Stallworth began reaching into a pocket. Arway said McCants did not intend to fire until he feared for his safety. After the shooting, she said, McCants called 911 and flagged down university police; in the 911 call he can be heard saying, "I just shot someone," and telling officers he believed Stallworth was reaching into his right front pocket.
Eyewitness Account Shifts
The case took an unexpected turn when a key eyewitness — Stallworth's fiancée, Atiya Muhammadel — changed parts of her account. Prosecutors say Muhammadel initially told police she was armed and that she had pulled out a gun on the night of the shooting. She later gave officers a different version, saying Stallworth brought the firearm into the restaurant but did not draw it.
In court, Muhammadel testified she did not realize Stallworth was carrying the handgun until it fell from his pocket as he collapsed. She said she picked it up and intended to return fire only after McCants had already left the scene. Defense filings assert Muhammadel removed the gun from Stallworth's pocket because Stallworth was on parole and legally prohibited from possessing a firearm; Muhammadel testified she did not know about his parole status.
"This witness has lied and I don't expect her to tell the truth at any point in time," defense attorney Brandon Moermond said in court.
Prosecutors countered there is no evidence Muhammadel tried to conceal the weapon and said police later recovered the handgun on the restaurant patio.
What’s Next
The trial is expected to continue with additional witness testimony this week. McCants' attorneys indicated he plans to testify after prosecutors rest their case. Judge Christopher McDowell is presiding over the proceedings.
This article is based on reporting by the Cincinnati Enquirer and court testimony presented during opening statements on Sept. 23.
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