PRESS AND NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE - DECEMBER 2023

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced indictments related to the October 2023 robbery of the VIP Smoke Shop in Delhi. Amontae Carter (DOB 1/31/04) was indicted for two counts of Murder (SF), two counts of Burglary (F2), and one count of Possession of Criminal Tools (F5). If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years. Tony Thacker (DOB 3/7/94) was indicted for five counts of Felonious Assault (F2), one count of Tampering with Evidence (F3) and two counts of Having Weapons Under Disability (F3). Malachi Thacker (DOB 8/2/02) was indicted for two counts of Tampering with Evidence (F3). On October 20, 2023, after 1:00am, Carter and several other suspects arrived at the VIP Smoke Shop located on Delhi Pike. Carter and his accomplices threw rocks through the windows of the store to gain entry. Tony Thacker, the store manager, lived in the back of the store. When he heard the glass break, he came out from the back of the store with a firearm. Thacker saw the suspects, including Amontae Carter and Travis Johnson making entry. Thacker fired multiple shots at the suspects, fatally striking Travis Johnson. As the remaining suspects fled, Thacker ran to the front of the store continued to shoot through the front door as the remaining suspects were fleeing in the stolen cars. Thacker shot Carter as he was seated in the rear of one of stolen cars. After the suspects were gone, Tony Thacker and his brother Malachi attempted to disable the store’s security system and remove shell casings. Tony Thacker is not permitted to possess a firearm due to a felony juvenile adjudication. Three juvenile suspects have previously been charged and are awaiting bindover from Juvenile Court. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers commented, “I want to thank the Delhi Police Department for their tireless work solving this case. There is simply no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away. However, I want to make perfectly clear – these retail thefts will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot.”