Zonta Monti Dunlap, a 28-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on December 26, 2018, in Huntersville, North Carolina. The incident occurred during a robbery attempt at a residence on Bryton Pass Lane. On that fateful morning, Dunlap was at his cousin Devonte Robinson's home, along with his twin brother. Robinson was meeting with Kelton Silver and Ivan Petty in the garage when Petty attempted to rob Robinson.
During the struggle, Petty fired two shots, one of which struck Robinson. As Robinson ran through the home, pursued by Silver and Petty, Dunlap and his twin brother looked down the staircase to see what was happening. Both Silver and Petty fired shots up the stairs, striking Dunlap multiple times. Dunlap tried to flee but collapsed on the lawn, where he died from his injuries.
The investigation into Dunlap's death led to the arrest of Kelton Silver and Ivan Petty. Silver, a 29-year-old African American male, was convicted of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Petty, a 28-year-old African American male, was also charged with second-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Petty pled guilty to these charges and was sentenced to 360-444 months in prison.
The case was tried by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Team, and Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Grant presided over the trial. The evidence presented during the trial included home surveillance video from outside the front door, which showed Silver and Petty at the scene, as well as electronic monitoring data that placed Petty at the location of the murder. The trial began on September 23, 2024, and concluded with the sentencing of Silver and Petty on October 4, 2024.
The tragic death of Zonta Monti Dunlap highlights the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of thorough investigations and legal proceedings to bring justice to the victims and their families.
