Latest news with #ChrystoferWhyte
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Haunting beach selfie taken moments before internet star was shot to death
A popular influencer posted a video enjoying himself at a beach in New Jersey just hours before he was tragically shot to death. Chrystofer A. Whyte, 18, also known as @ on TikTok, was shot and killed at the Long Branch beach in New Jersey on the evening of June 12, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. That same day, Whyte, who has 105,000 followers on social media, posted a video of himself lounging on the sand and captioned it #longbranch. He showed himself wearing pink swimming trunks, with a blue vape on his lap. The Long Branch Police Department responded to reports of a shooting just before 9pm and discovered that Whyte had suffered a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two suspects were arrested with connection to the shooting - a juvenile, whose name wasn't released, and a teen named Dwayne Exilus, 18. Exilus was hit with a slew of second-degree charges relating to unlawful possession of a weapon. The juvenile faces murder charges in addition to possession of a weapon and hindering. The investigation into Whyte's murder remains ongoing. Anyone with information relating to his death has been asked to contact the Long Branch Police or the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Exilus has been in trouble with the police before. He was arrested in April in connection to a shooting at an Applebee's. The Linden Police said at the time that four men, including Exilus, entered the restaurant and chased another man into the parking lot. Shots were fired but no injuries were reported and the suspects fled the scene. Exilus pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge and was ordered to pay a fine. Authorities haven't released a motive for Whyte's death and it's unclear what his relationship was to the suspects. The TikToker's friend, Jaiden Roche, told the local New Jersey Patch that he believed his friend's death was related to a social media feud. Roche told the outlet that kids from Linden were making fun of Whyte during a TikTok live. 'I think this whole situation was about egos, back and forth online. Chrys is a very humble person, but the one thing he doesn't tolerate is disrespect,' he told the outlet. Roche speculated that Whyte's last TikTok at the beach was what led to his untimely death. 'They [the suspects] saw his TikTok post and they ended up coming to the beach. They came to the beach knowing they would start problems,' Roche said. 'He had told these kids, let's fight. I guess these kids had something more than a fight in mind.' Long Beach was reportedly packed on the night of Whyte's death, with witnesses telling the Patch that they started running after hearing gunshots. Daily Mail reached out to the Long Branch Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for more information on the suspects' relationships to Whyte and a potential motive. Roche told local news that his best friend was working at the US Postal Service but was trying to be a full-time TikTok influencer. Roche set up a GoFundMe for Whyte's family to support costs for the funeral. 'He [Whyte] meant so much to everyone , this tragedy has a huge impact on his family & friends , he was very loved by many and this all still seems like a dream,' the description read. His last video generated over six million likes and thousands of comments expressing condolences to Whyte's family. 'This is so sad. Sending condolences and praying for his family at this time. Chrys was in my class my very first year of teaching [heart emoji],' one comment read. 'Nothing is more jarring than opening the comments and finding out this is someone's last video of themself, may he rest in peace,' another wrote. 'I love you , my brother since 7th grade , we did everything together , you pushed me to be a better person and get my life on track , im gonna continue to prosper and make you proud,' a third added. 'I can't even believe what I woke up to. u had such a good heart,' wrote a fourth.
Mint
03-07-2025
- Mint
Who was Chrystofer Whyte? Popular TikTok star with 1,00,000 followers killed in New Jersey beach shooting
An 18-year-old TikTok star named Chrystofer Whyte was shot dead on June 12 at Pier Village beach in Long Branch, New Jersey. Police found him with a single gunshot wound around 9 p.m. after reports of gunfire. Two suspects are now in custody: one is an underage teen facing murder charges in juvenile detention, while 18-year-old Dwayne Exilus is charged with helping get the weapon used in the crime. Whyte had over 100,000 TikTok followers under the username @ and had posted two videos earlier that day, including one from the same beach where he was killed just hours later. Whyte's last TikTok showed him relaxing in a beach chair with the caption 'Stay away from ppl that ignore you until they need you," a message now haunting his fans. Before his social media fame, he was a football player and wrestler at Woodbridge High School. His former coach, Joseph LaSala, remembered him as 'an unbelievable kid' who brought 'energy and enthusiasm every day." Friends describe him as deeply loved, with one writing: 'This tragedy has a huge impact on his family... It's my duty to make sure he goes out with a bang.". A GoFundMe for funeral costs has raised over $16,000 from heartbroken supporters. Police haven't shared what sparked the shooting, though witnesses reported a fight on the beach before gunfire erupted. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Long Branch Police continue investigating why the popular teen, who posted hopeful messages like 'everything will work out' just days earlier, was targeted. The juvenile suspect faces six charges, including murder and weapons offenses, while Exilus is charged with four counts related to illegal gun possession. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact detectives as they piece together this tragedy that cut short a life brimming with potential.
