Christopher Keith Parrott, a 27-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on December 15, 2009, in Shelby, North Carolina. Born on February 28, 1982, in Cleveland County, he was the son of Deborah Lockhart Harper and the late Wayne Nathan Parrott. Christopher was known for his wonderful personality, quest for knowledge, and love for music and his children. He was employed by Ola's and Deborah's Restaurant in Shelby and Reliance Electric in Kings Mountain.
He also enjoyed drawing and reading.
On a foggy December morning in 2009, Christopher was shot and killed at his Marion Street home. The investigation into his death led to the arrest of three Cleveland County teenagers, all 18 years old at the time. Quintien O’Brian Surratt, Jonavan Lewis Hopper, and Trumane Daurice Jefferies were charged with his murder. Surratt, who was 21 at the time of his trial, faced charges of murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and breaking and entering. He was held at the Cleveland County Detention Center with a $500,000 bond.
Jonavan Lewis Hopper and Trumane Daurice Jefferies both pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and robbery with a dangerous weapon in June 2011. Hopper, who had a previous 2007 conviction for common law robbery, was serving a nearly 27-year sentence. Jefferies, whose past criminal record included felony breaking and entering and assault on an officer, was also serving a 27-year sentence.
The trial for Quintien O’Brian Surratt began in May 2013, with Sally Kirby-Turner, assistant district attorney, prosecuting the case. Doug Hall, of Hall & Hall Attorney’s at Law in Morganton, represented Surratt. The trial marked the culmination of a three-and-a-half-year wait for justice for Christopher Keith Parrott.
