Judge: No bond for man charged in Durham 7-year-old's shooting death

Devon Maurice Fowler, who is charged with murder and felony conspiracy in connection with the drive-by shooting death of Kamari Munerlyn, made a first court appearance Wednesday morning after his Tuesday night arrest.

Authorities took Fowler into custody at the Extended Stay America hotel on Bluestone Drive in Raleigh. During Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors said Fowler "conspired with unknown males to commit the murder."

Fowler has 19 previous convictions, including a 2011 conviction for assault on a female. Fowler's last conviction was in 2015 for possession of a stolen firearm.

According to investigators, Kamari was in a Honda Pilot with nine other people at about 5 p.m. Sunday when multiple shots were fired from another car as the vehicles traveled near Hillandale Road and Peppertree Street in Durham.

The driver of the Pilot drove to the nearby Tokyo Express Cuisine restaurant in the 3200 block of Guess Road because a flat tire prevented them from getting to a nearby hospital, authorities said.

Kamari was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Kamari was a first-grader at Eastway Elementary School.

Kamari's father, Theo Munerlyn, said Tuesday night's arrest gives him "a lot of closure."

"My son can rest in peace now that his killer is behind bars," Theo Munerlyn said. "As long as he's behind bars and can't hurt anybody else, that's all that matters."

In court, Theo Munerlyn was surrounded by his girlfriend and his mother.

"I'm just hoping that the court system finds some justice for my grandson," said Lisa Gerald. "He was seven. He had the most beautiful smile. He never hurt anybody."

But Munerlyn said he knows why someone shot at his son.

"My baby mama's boyfriend is a gang member," he said.

Munerlyn said he does not want to blame the boy's mother for what happened, but said he is not happy with her. He said instead, his anger will remain directed at Fowler.

"I've seen the man smirk and that alone just made me furious," he said. "He's behind these walls now. Hopefully he doesn't see another day of light."

Fowler's next court date is scheduled for June 28.