Deionte Dee Sparkman, a 19-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on May 16, 2022, in Gastonia, North Carolina. Deionte was walking home with a friend from the Highland neighborhood of Gastonia when he was fatally shot. His family has been left in the dark about the exact circumstances surrounding his death. Deionte was a 2021 graduate of Warlick Academy and worked at a local Wendy's, with plans to enroll in community college classes.
The investigation into Deionte's
death led to the arrest of two individuals. Ja’Kelon Duval, also 19 years old, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Duval turned himself in to the authorities and was booked into Gaston County Jail without bond. Mary Elizabeth Bentley, a 20-year-old woman from Clover, South Carolina, was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly driving the getaway car after the shooting. Both suspects remain in custody without bond.
The Gastonia Police Department continues to investigate the case, trying to determine the relationship between Duval, Bentley, and the victims. Deionte's family, including his parents Shedennia Clark-Peoples and Steven Peoples, Sr., and his siblings, have been left devastated by his untimely death. His mother, Nikki Clark-Peoples, expressed forgiveness towards Duval, despite the betrayal she feels, as Duval was once a close friend of Deionte. The family demands justice for Deionte and hopes for answers as the investigation progresses.
