A teenage TikTok influencer was gunned down on a crowded New Jersey beach just hours after posting a haunting final video from the same spot, it emerged this week as a juvenile was charged with his murder.
Chrystofer A. Whyte — known online as hi.imchrys — was struck at least once while at Pier Village in Long Branch just before 9 p.m. on June 12., the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said.
The 18-year-old high school athlete, who had 100,000 followers on TikTok, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Popular TikTok influencer Chrystofer A. Whyte was fatally shot at a New Jersey beach last month. TikTokA juvenile was arrested this week and slapped with a slew of charges, including murder and unlawful possession of a weapon, prosecutors said, without identifying him because of his age, which was not released.
An alleged accomplice, Dwayne Exilus, 18, was charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Despite the arrests, investigators are still probing a motive for the bloodshed.
Friends claimed local kids had recently been caught “antagonizing” the victim during some of his TikTok live videos and “calling him names,” Patch reported.
“I think this whole situation was about egos,” the victim’s friend, “I think this whole situation was about egos,” the victim’s friend, Jaiden Roche, told the outlet.
It wasn’t immediately clear, though, if the two suspects were involved in the apparent bullying or if they even knew Whyte.
Still, just hours before the tragedy unfolded, Whyte had shared two final videos, including one taken from the beach where he was later murdered.
The 18-year-old social media star boasted more than 100,000 followers on TikTok. @hi.imchrys/TikTokIn that clip, the TikTok star could be seen lounging in a beach chair.
“Stay away from ppl that ignore you until they need you,” he captioned the other video.
Aside from his success as a social media star, Whyte was a student athlete who played football and wrestled for Woodbridge High School.
Police have arrested and charged two men in connection with the shooting. WABC
The Long Branch Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Pier Village in Long Branch at 8:58 p.m. June 12. WABCFollowing the news of his death, Whyte’s former football coach, Joseph LaSala, paid his respects in a tribute.
“Chrys was an unbelievable kid,” LaSala told TAPinto Middletown. “He brought energy and enthusiasm every day.”
“He was respectful, focused, and a joy to coach. This is heartbreaking,” added LaSala, who worked with the teen for three seasons.
