In the early morning hours of a Saturday in Charleston, South Carolina, the life of 32-year-old Antwan Lamont 'Dusty' Frost was tragically cut short. On September 19, 2015, Frost, a beloved local resident and employee of the East Bay Biergarten known for his poetry, was visiting a home on Norman Street where a small social gathering was taking place.
Unbeknownst to the occupants, danger lurked outside under the cover of darkness.
The chain of events that led to this senseless act of violence began with an altercation a couple of nights prior. Montrelle Lamont Campbell had been involved in a dispute with one of the female residents of the Norman Street house. Seeking retribution, Campbell returned to the residence around 6:30 a.m. Armed with an AR-15, he unleashed a barrage of at least 14 bullets into the rear window and door of the small home. Inside, residents and guests were playing cards while children slept in their bedrooms.
The hail of bullets tore through the home, with some projectiles exiting the front and striking other apartments across a courtyard. During the chaotic and terrifying moments of the shooting, Antwan Frost was struck in the chest by a fatal gunshot. There was no indication that Campbell even knew the man he had killed; Frost was simply an unintended victim of a violent act directed at others. Another individual inside the home was injured when a bullet fragment struck them in the head, and a testifying victim carries a projectile in her arm to this day.
The investigation into the shooting was a lengthy and complex endeavor, spearheaded by Detective Eric Tuttle of the Charleston Police Department. The case benefited significantly from the cooperation of the community, with several individuals coming forward with statements and providing residential surveillance video from the area at the time of the incident. This collaborative effort was crucial in piecing together the events of that tragic morning and identifying a suspect.
Following a thorough investigation, Montrelle Lamont Campbell was arrested and charged with the murder of Antwan Frost and two counts of attempted murder. After a week-long trial in January 2018, a Charleston County jury found Campbell guilty on all charges. During the sentencing, Antwan Frost's mother, Carolyn, and sister, Shanequa, spoke eloquently about their profound loss and their love for 'Dusty.' The Honorable Judge Deadra L. Jefferson sentenced Montrelle Campbell to life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring that the man responsible for this senseless act of violence would be held accountable for his actions.
