2 SUSPECTS PLEAD GUILTY TO KIDNAPPING AFTER MAN MURDERED THROWN IN TRUNK OF DODGE CHARGER

Shamario Bethea and Bionnah Massey were originally charged with the murder of Curtis Lampkin, 24, in Charlotte, NC. However in July 2026 the suspects pled guilty to kidnapping while the murder charges were dismissed by the district attorneys office.

Curtis was murdered on October 7, 2024 on a wooded walking trail on Peachtree Dr. in Charlotte. Shamario and Bionnah forced Curtis into the trunk of a Dodge Charger and drove him to a secluded area. Dodge Chargers are super fast cars that are known to get away from police in chases. Shamario and Bionnah were in a dispute with Curtis over something that Curtis had allegedly stole from them.

Curtis was killed and left in the woods. A woman walking her dog found Curtis after her dog started barking along a wooded trail. On November 12, 2024, police along with the United States Secret Service arrested Shamario in Hickory, NC. Bionnah was later arrested. 

Both suspects were charged with murder. In July 2026 prosecutors dropped the murder charges for both suspects. Instead the suspects pled guilty to kidnapping Curtis.

Bionnah was sentenced to 73 to 100 months in prison. Shamario was sentenced to 96 to 128 months imprisonment.