Murder-For-Hire Killing Of Woman In Dale City Leads To 4 Indictments: Police

DALE CITY, VA — An incarcerated husband's scheme to have his wife killed in Dale City led to indictments against him and three others, according to Prince William County Police.

The Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney office announced a grand jury's indictments Monday in the Feb. 2 homicide of Egypt Zapporah Carter, 23, of Burlington, North Carolina. Police investigation found the victim's husband, Lionel Melvin Carter III, 34, who is being held at the Sussex State Prison, conspired to have her killed in a murder-for-hire. Police believe three other men carried out the killing, were present or arranged for the killing.

Lionel Melvin Carter, III, 34, Grorethas Gresean McKinnon, Jr., 26, Denzel Scott Wade, 30, were indicted on charges of 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 at state prisons, while Wade is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center.

Another defendant, Drew Courtney Buchanan, 27, was indicted for 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 had arrested Wade and Buchanan, the latter of whom police believe carried out the murder-for-hire killing. Carter and McKinnon were first indicted in the homicide on Monday, and new indictments were added for Wade and Buchanan. Carter and McKinnon had been in prison on unrelated sentences and will remain there pending court proceedings in the Dale City homicide.

The homicide happened on Feb. 2 in the area of Bronson Court and Brickwood Drive in Dale City. Prince William County Police say 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 inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. Fire and rescue pronounced her dead at the scene. A dog with Carter in the vehicle was not injured and was turned over to animal control.

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