4 charged with contract killing of woman in Dale City: police

DALE CITY, Va. – An incarcerated husband’s plan to have his wife killed in Dale City led to charges against him and three other people, according to Prince William County police.

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced Monday a grand jury indictment in the Feb. 2 murder of 23-year-old Egypt Zapporah Carter of Burlington, North Carolina. The police investigation revealed that the victim’s husband, Lionel Melvin Carter III, 34, who is incarcerated at the Sussex State Penitentiary, conspired to have her killed in a contract killing. Police believe three other men committed the murder, were present or were responsible for the murder.

Lionel Melvin Carter, III, 34, Grorethas Gresean McKinnon, Jr., 26, and Denzel Scott Wade, 30, were charged with aggravated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting at an occupied vehicle and conspiracy to commit a felony. Carter and McKinnon are being held in state prisons, while Wade is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center.

Another defendant, Drew Courtney Buchanan, 27, was charged with aggravated murder and conspiracy to commit a felony and is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center.

In October, Prince William County police arrested Wade and Buchanan, the latter of whom police believe was responsible for the murder-for-hire. Carter and McKinnon were first charged with murder on Monday, with additional charges being added against Wade and Buchanan. Carter and McKinnon were in prison on independent convictions and will remain there pending trial in the Dale City murder case.

The murder occurred Feb. 2 in the area of ​​Bronson Court and Brickwood Drive in Dale City. According to Prince William County Police, the victim was lured to the area to pick up prescription narcotics for her husband. But when she got there, Carter was ambushed and killed. Police found the victim in a vehicle with gunshot wounds. Firefighters and rescue workers confirmed her death at the scene of the accident. A dog with Carter in the vehicle was uninjured and was turned over to animal control.

Anyone with further information about the case can contact police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.