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Man wanted in connection with Huntersville slaying nabbed by FBI in New Jersey

By Mark Barber
By Mark Barber

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Police said they have arrested a second suspect in connection with a shooting that left one person dead and another injured in Huntersville in December.

Kelton Tyrich Silver, 23, was arrested Friday in Essex County, New Jersey, by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

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Police said the shooting occurred at an apartment complex on Bryton Pass Lane around 10 a.m. on Dec. 26. They said It happened during a robbery and was not random.

Police announced the arrest of Ivan Petty, 23, on Dec. 26.

They later said that they were still searching for Silver for his involvement in the murder.

(Kelton Silver)

Petty got out of jail two months ago after he was arrested on charges that included assault, weapons and drugs.

(Ivan Petty)

Petty served more than a year in a state prison for robbery.

Investigators learned there was trouble in the quiet corner of Huntersville Dec. 26 when a deputy pulled into the area for a different case and was stopped by someone who said he had heard gunshots.

Officers said they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Investigators said Zonta Dunlap, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene and the second victim was rushed to the hospital.

The second victim's identity has not been released.

Channel 9 spoke to Maj. Barry Graham, of the Huntersville Police Department.

“He was stopped by a resident in the apartments here who said he heard gunshots, went to investigate and found a resident laying outside the apartments who was bleeding," said Graham.

Detectives rushed in to catch the killers, but said the two shooters slipped away.

Upon further investigation, officers said they charged Petty with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a weapon into an occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Officers said they have charged Silver with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a weapon into an occupied property, possession of a firearm by a felon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

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“The day after Christmas should be a time of joy and enjoying your family. I have no idea why this occurred. I have no idea what the relationship is, whether it was an ongoing problem they had or whether they were strangers," said Graham.

Ericka Anderson, a mother, said shootings such as this one are a painful reminder that you can never be too careful, even at this time of year.

“It’s very disheartening after the holidays to know that lives were lost this morning. That hurts me and it makes me want to clench my children even harder," said Anderson.

This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information, contact the Huntersville Police Department at 704-464-5400 or North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867.

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