Victim’s family reacts to verdict in 2020 Monkey Junction Walmart murder

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY)– A man convicted for his role in the 2020 murder of a teen was sentenced on Friday morning. 

“The only appropriate verdict for Laron Carter was life without the possibility of parole for this terrible crime,” said District Attorney Ben David.  

On November 12th of 2020, 17-year-old Gavin Dozier was fatally shot by 25-year-old Laron Carter outside the Walmart in Monkey Junction.

“This was premeditated and deliberate murder. As well as felony murder. A senseless killing,” said David. 

Carter has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder, and 4 to 6 years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon for his role in the murder.

“He was my only son. He was only 17 years old. He had a heart of gold,” said the victim’s father.    

Gavin’s Dozier’s mother, father, and sister all took the stand to give victim impact statements before Carter received his sentence.  

“He loved people. He wants the best for people, and his life was taken at a very early age. We suffer daily. We push forward with the power of the Lord to give us strength,” said the victim’s father.  

“This is as much as we could ask for at this time. Which is justice, and we are grateful for that,” said the victim’s mother.    

According to the District Attorney’s Office, prior to the trial and verdict, Carter was initially offered a plea deal of 31-and-a-half years, which he did not take.  

“Laron Carter took a gamble and lost. He was offered a plea and rather than choosing a plea, he chose to allow us as a family, and those jurors, to endure this again in an open courtroom,” said the victim’s mother.    

“He was a nuisance for a long long time. Now he’s going to be put away for the rest of his life,” said the victim’s father.     

The decision in the carter trial is one of three first degree murder verdicts reached within the last four days in the 6th prosecutorial district.