In the quiet of a west Macon neighborhood, the life of 42-year-old Christopher Jerome Battle was abruptly ended on the evening of Tuesday, February 20, 2018. A male victim of gun violence, he was discovered lying on the doorstep of his own home on Ruben Drive, a place he was known to cherish. The news of his death sent ripples of sorrow through his family and the community that knew him as a quiet and honest man.
Christopher, affectionately known as 'Cry,' was a father of four who found
joy in the simple pleasures of life. His brother, Timothy Battle, remembered him as a man who loved being at home, often spending his time cleaning up, grilling for others, and washing cars. He was described as a laidback individual who largely kept to himself, making the violent nature of his death all the more shocking to those who knew him. In the wake of the tragedy, family and friends gathered, their cars lining the street, to offer support and share in the grief of a life taken too soon.
In the immediate aftermath, the Bibb County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shooting, with Lieutenant Sean Defoe confirming that Battle had been shot and killed. Authorities appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible, encouraging tips to be called into Macon Regional Crimestoppers.
Despite the initial investigation and the pleas for information, the case of Christopher Jerome Battle's death appears to have grown cold. As of late 2018, his was one of a number of unsolved homicides in the Macon-Bibb area. There have been no subsequent public announcements regarding any arrests made or suspects identified in connection with his murder. The passage of time has left his family with unanswered questions and a void where a beloved father, brother, and friend once stood.
