Latest news with #LongBranch
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Influencer shared photo before being shot dead on beach in New Jersey
A popular influencer posted a video at a beach in New Jersey just hours before he was shot dead. Chrystofer A Whyte, 18, also known as @ on TikTok, was shot and killed at the Long Branch beach on the evening of June 12, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Whyte had posted a video of himself lounging on the sand and captioned it #longbranch. 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 in connection to the shooting - a juvenile, whose name wasn't released, and a teenager named Dwayne Exilus, 18. Exilus was hit with a raft of second-degree charges relating to unlawful possession of a weapon. He 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. 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 U.S. 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.
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.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- CTV News
Woman in hospital after being hit by driver near Etobicoke's Marie Curtis Park
A woman in her 20s was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by the driver of a vehicle on July 2 near 42nd Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West. (Jacob Estrin/CTV News Toronto) A woman in her 20s was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by the driver of a vehicle on Wednesday night near Marie Curtis Park in south Etobicoke. The collision happened in the Long Branch neighbourhood, in the vicinity of 42nd Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West. Toronto police say they were called to that area just before 7:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a female pedestrian that had been hit by a vehicle. The driver remained on scene. Police are advising motorists to expect delays in that area.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
'Dilapidated' beach town roars to life as a new American hotspot after finally catching a wave
A once-neglected New Jersey shore town known for its rundown boardwalk and weathered homes has reinvented itself as a playground for the wealthy. Now filled with luxury condos that sell for $4 million, upscale restaurants, wine bars and beautiful beaches, Long Branch has landed on the map for many East Coasters who can travel easily to the shore.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A sleepy beach town in New Jersey is rebranding as a luxury travel destination. Thanks to the condo market, business is booming.
Long Branch, New Jersey's luxury push is attracting a wealthier crowd with new developments. The condo market in particular is revitalizing the seaside destination. Business and locals benefit from the revitalization, but old landmarks are getting left behind. When people think of the Jersey Shore, the MTV reality show might come to mind. Gym, tan, laundry; fist pumping, and nightclubs. But a small beachside city is drawing a more chic crowd to the beaches of New Jersey, and redefining what the shore looks like in the process. Long Branch, New Jersey, which is an hour's drive from Trenton and a similar distance from Manhattan, has largely kept its small-town charm. But a transformation is afoot, and sisters Jennifer and Michele Maybaum have seen it up close. "We've really seen the evolution of Long Branch going from a, you could say, lower- to middle-class city to what's being built today," Michele told Business Insider. The pair run Max's Bar and Grill, a local landmark in Long Branch. The restaurant has been in their family since 1950 and in New Jersey since 1928. But new construction is changing the shoreline and the town itself. "With the advent of all the condos that are being built, new restaurants and new things that have come into Long Branch, a new type of person is moving to Long Branch," she added. New luxury developments, restaurants, and stores are luring wealthier visitors and residents away from other hot spots around the country, changing the fabric of the once old-school beach town. The condo market in Long Branch has adjusted in recent years. Data from Redfin shows the median sales price for condos and co-ops was $818,242 in April 2020. That same month in 2025, that number was $950,000 — a 16% increase. The increase in price could be due to the increase in ritzy selections in the area, like The Atlantic Club, a luxury beachfront condo building scheduled to open in 2026. It's home to what is now the most expensive condo sale in the county: A penthouse that sold for $5.95 million in 2024. According to MLS data, condo sales over $1 million increased year over year in Long Branch by nearly 11%. The 132-unit Atlantic Club features a pool deck, a fitness center, a business center, and a pet spa, among other amenities. It opened up sales in 2023 with prices ranging from $1.12 million to over $5.95 million. Dennis Drazin, a 73-year-old attorney, bought a four-bedroom unit, which he plans to pay between $3.65 million and $4 million for, depending on what features he chooses to install. "The unit that I chose has a big terrace on it where I walk out of the living quarters and I can sit and relax in the sun and watch the ocean," Drazin told BI. "That's what I like to do when I'm not working." Drazin was born in Long Branch but has lived a 10-minute drive away in Fair Haven, New Jersey, since 1988. He and his wife are downsizing from their two-acre property and getting closer to the beach. "I wanted to be on the ocean," he said. "I wanted to have the beach within a few steps of where I was. I wanted to have the boardwalk where I could walk long distances back and forth. I wanted to have restaurants in the area that I would be able to utilize." Peter Rokkos, a 56-year-old professor at Rutgers University , was in the market for a second home and was looking far and wide for a new spot. He looked in New Jersey and even went as far as Florida, considering Fort Lauderdale and Naples. He was close to settling on Naples, but sided with convenience and a tamer climate. "In my mind, I've got sort of an over-under of 100 nights," Rokkos told BI. "If I'm going to get a hundred nights, how often am I going to want to fly down to 100 degrees in Florida?" Rokkos' getaway home is about 15 miles from his home base in Holmdel, New Jersey. He paid about $1.9 million for a two-bedroom unit with a den, he said. The essence of Long Branch is rooted in vacationing — mainly for New Jersey locals. The pier used to be complete with quintessential boardwalk necessities like arcades, waterslides, and mini golf. Now, while some of those classics still remain, fine dining restaurants, fashionable retail stores, and condos are in the mix, changing the ambiance. That change in ambience is a benefit for a lot of the people choosing Long Branch, like Rokkos. "I'm not sure this would've been the purchase we would've made 15 years ago when my kids were a little bit younger — but now they're a bit older," Rokkos said. "They like the ability to pop down the block and get a cup of coffee, or go visit the yoga studio down the block." "They started bringing more commerce to the area, bringing more people to the area, bringing more restaurants to the area, spreading the tendrils out from that little beach strip out to more and more gentrification, turning Long Branch from the sleepy, beach community that it was into more of a commerce destination." Longtime business owners like the Maybaum sisters are happy to see business booming and patrons from all over the world — noting that people from France, Spain, and beyond have visited their restaurant. But when new buildings are constructed, they take over old ones. Jennifer highlighted Seashore Day Camp, a camp that both the Maybaums and their children attended that, as of 2025, has turned into condos starting at $1.9 million. The camp would have celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026. "Seeing that gone is sad because you grew up seeing that, and it was part of your history, part of your memories and your experiences," Jennifer said. "There have been some businesses that the local community had a connection with that are no longer there." "I do think what's happening is amazing," Jennifer added. "It's almost bittersweet." Read the original article on Business Insider
