Shamario Bethea, 41, and Bionnah Massey, 33, is charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Curtis Lampkin, a 24-year-old Charlotte man. Police allege that the two suspects forced Lampkin into the trunk of a car before taking his life.
New Details Emerge from Court Documents
Court documents obtained by The North Carolina Beat reveal that a confidential informant tipped off authorities, alleging that Massey believed Lampkin had stolen from her, which reportedly set off a chain of tragic events. Investigators believe this accusation motivated the kidnapping and subsequent murder.
On October 7, 2024, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responded to assist medics at 419 Peachtree Drive, where they found Lampkin with a fatal gunshot wound in his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tracing the Final Hours: Surveillance Video Evidence
According to court records, detectives pieced together Lampkin’s last known movements through witness statements and video surveillance. An unidentified witness reportedly saw Lampkin the day before his murder near a business off Woodlawn Road. Detectives obtained surveillance footage from Nations Crossing Road, where Lampkin was seen speaking to Bethea and Massey.
Bethea allegedly struck Lampkin in the face, forcing him to the ground. Bethea is then seen opening the trunk of a white Dodge Charger and, with Massey’s assistance, forcing Lampkin inside. Surveillance cameras captured Massey reaching in to shut the trunk before the vehicle sped off, with her in the backseat.
Additional surveillance later captured the Dodge Charger heading to Peachtree Drive, where Lampkin’s body was found.Â
Arrest and Charges: The Investigation Deepens
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, with assistance from the United States Secret Service, authorities tracked down and arrested Bethea in Hickory, NC. Massey was taken into custody shortly thereafter. Both suspects now face charges for kidnapping and murder, though details of upcoming court appearances have yet to be released.
