Sean David Thomas, a 25-year-old African American man from Charlotte, NC, was tragically shot to death on November 10, 2020, in Shelby, NC. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Charles Road. According to investigators and prosecutors, a group of teenagers had arranged to meet Thomas to purchase marijuana. Though he lived in Charlotte, Thomas had family in the Shelby area. He pulled into the parking lot of The Pantry on Charles Road with the intention of meeting someone. At that moment, a car arrived with four other young men. Both cars pulled into a parking lot next to the store. The five suspects attempted to rob Thomas, and a shootout ensued. Thomas managed to drive off from the scene but crashed into a wooded area about 100 to 150 yards away. He was found behind the wheel and pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation began after two calls came into 911 around 11 p.m. on Tuesday. One was a report of shots fired, and the second was about a man who had driven off the road. When police arrived, they found Sean David Thomas dead in the driver's seat of a car parked in a wooded area off of Charles Road. Police believed Thomas had gotten into some sort of altercation in the parking lot by a convenience store when shots rang out. Thomas fled but made it only 50 yards or so before succumbing to his injuries. Investigators interviewed multiple witnesses before making three arrests on Friday. Kevin Bernard Walls, 18, and Kevante Dechaun Miller, 19, were each charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. They were both held in Cleveland County jail without bond. A 16-year-old was also charged, but their name was not released due to their age. Warrants were issued for Isaiah Devon Littlejohn and Zantavious Daycon Petty, both 18. Once apprehended, they were also charged with murder and attempted robbery.
Several suspects were arrested in the following days. Littlejohn was arrested a week later. Though not all of the defendants may have pulled the trigger, all were charged because of the felony murder rule, a precedent in which a person can be charged with murder for knowingly being in commission of a felony that can result in death. Assistant District Attorney Rick Shaffer said in court that witnesses stated the teens conspired to commit the robbery. Last week, Littlejohn, now 20, accepted a plea offer. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a sentence of 18 to 23 years with credit for time he's served since being arrested. Kevin Bernard Walls, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon . He received a sentence of 17 to 21 years in prison. Kevante Dechaun Miller, now 21, and Zantavious Daycon Petty, now 20, were both still in Cleveland County jail. The 16-year-old who was charged also had not had their case resolved.
According to his obituary, Thomas “had a great sense of humor and loved to do impersonations and crack jokes that could make you laugh even when you weren't in the best of moods. He was fluent in several languages including Patwa and Spanish.” Thomas graduated from Mallard Creek High School in January of 2014 and went on to briefly serve in the military before following in his late granddaddy's footsteps and becoming a chef. He worked at several restaurants, including Red Lobster, where he met the love of his life, Keshona Lee. They were together for three years before getting married on May 30, 2020. Out of their union, they were blessed to have a beautiful baby girl named Queen Antonelle. His widow said in court that the actions of that day have affected many lives. Their two young children will never know their father.
