Melvin Hopper Obituary, Death; – A man from Gastonia will spend the remainder of his life in prison after a jury in Gaston County found him guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday, July 10, 2025,
27-year-old Tahj Wall has been convicted for the murder of Melvin Hopper that occurred in May 2021.
Court documents indicate that after shooting Hopper twice in the back of the head, Wall transported Hopper’s body in a vehicle for about six hours, displaying the body to several individuals before one of them contacted 911. Judge David Strickland sentenced Wall to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
District Attorney Travis Page commented on the verdict:
“Today, a jury recognized the death of Melvin Hopper for what it truly was, as the evidence demonstrated—it was neither an act of self-defense nor a crime of passion, but rather a cold-blooded execution. Our office remains unwavering in our pursuit of justice, and we will continue to vigorously prosecute violent offenders. We express our gratitude to the jury for their service and their dedication to adhering to the facts of this case and the rule of law, and we will persist in supporting the family of Melvin Hopper and all families of homicide victims.”
