Second Murder For Hire Plotter Convicted In 2024 Dale City Slaying

WOODBRIDGE, VA – Grorethas McKinnon Jr., 29, was found guilty of second-degree murder by a Prince William County jury on March 26 for helping to execute a murder-for-hire plot in 2024.

He is facing up to 40 years in prison.

Four men were indicted in December 2024 for the plot to kill Egypt Carter, 23, of North Carolina. McKinnon is the second to be convicted for his role.

Drew Buchanan, 29, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of first-degree murder and faces life in prison.

Both men will be sentenced later this summer.

According to the Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, on Feb. 2, 2024, Carter was lured to an area near Brickwood Drive and Bronson Court in Dale City under the guise of buying drugs. Instead of making that transaction, she was shot multiple times while still in her car. Police found her body still in the driver’s seat. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutors say an informant told police that McKinnon enlisted Buchanan to commit the murder for cash at the behest of someone in prison.

Police allege Carter’s husband, Lionel Carter III, launched the plot to kill his wife from a prison cell, where he was already serving a 30-year sentence for murdering a past girlfriend.

In December 2024, Carter, along with another suspect, Denzel Scott Wade, were indicted on aggravated murder and other charges. Wade is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center.

Prosecutors have not issued an update on the cases of Carter and Wade.

The Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney’s office described the case against McKinnon as “technically challenging,” as much of the evidence involved coded communications on messaging applications. Prosecutors used Carter’s own cell phone, found with her body in her car, along with Buchanan’s Apple maps searches, internet search histories and text messages, and McKinnon’s Instagram account to help make the case for his guilt.