Perry homicide victim may have been targeted for a robbery, police say

The victim of a fatal shooting inside a Perry motel room earlier this month may have been the target of a robbery setup, according to police.

D’Undrea Monta Jolly, 20, of Fort Valley, was shot five times inside a room at the Great Inn in the early morning hours of July 2. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Four people have been charged with felony murder in the killing, including a woman whom Jolly had previously dated and still saw from time-to-time, said Perry police Capt. Heath Dykes, head of investigations.

Those arrested in connection with the slaying include Tara Mechelle Redding, 25, of Columbus; Samuel Clayton Miller, 22, of Anniston, Alabama; Tycovian Kemon Whitlow, 22, of Alexandria, Alabama; and Quintavious Deon Dobbins, 23, of Anniston, Alabama.

Investigators think Jolly had rented a room for himself and Redding, who has lived in both Reynolds and Fort Valley before moving to Columbus. Redding had previously dated Jolly and Dobbins.

“Basically, we feel like what happened is that there was possibility that they — her ex-boyfriend and two other guys from Alabama — set the victim up to rob him at the hotel,” Dykes said. “And basically ended up killing him. We’re not 100% sure, but ... just on the statements being given and what’s being told, that’s what it looks like happened.”

Dobbins, Redding, Miller and Whitlow were in the room about an hour before Jolly arrived, Dykes said.

“Immediately, there was an altercation,” Dykes said. “As soon as the victim arrived at the hotel and entered the room, a fight started and shots rang out right after that.”

Who Jolly remains under investigation, with all charged with felony murder because all participated in the incident, Dykes said.

Additional charges are expected when the case goes before a Houston County grand jury, Dykes said.

Redding, Miller and Whitlow were being held Thursday at the Houston County jail. Dobbins was being held at the Calhoun County jail in Anniston, Alabama, after his arrest late last week. Perry police are seeking to have him extradited to Georgia.

Jolly, who was shot with a handgun, is Perry’s third homicide victim this year, Dykes said.

Kenneth Griffin, 42, and Rebecca Griffin, 46, were found dead March 11 in their apartment at Houston Lake Apartments in Perry. Her son and his stepson, Anthony Douglas Shoffner, 25, who lived with them, was being held in the Houston County jail on murder and aggravated assault charges in connection with their deaths. His trial is pending.