Alexandra Faith Gillikin, a 25-year-old woman from Wilmington, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on May 7, 2022. Alexandra, often referred to as "Faith," was a vibrant and accomplished individual who had a deep faith in God and a passion for life. She was known for her achievements in gymnastics, dance, and volleyball, and she held a BA in World History from UNCW.
Faith was set to graduate with a certificate in Esthetics Technology from Cape Fear Community College just days after her untimely death.
On the morning of May 7, 2022, Alexandra Faith Gillikin and Nicholas Raspino, a 30-year-old man, were victims of a shooting on Galley Lane in Wilmington. Faith sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, while Nicholas was transported to Novant's New Hanover Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The incident left the community in shock and mourning, as they grappled with the loss of a young woman who had touched many lives with her bold spirit and unwavering faith.
In connection to the shooting, Jonathan Casey Rashad Burgess, a 33-year-old man, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Burgess was also charged with firing into an occupied vehicle. He was taken into custody and held at the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Detention Center without bond. The investigation into the shooting revealed that Burgess had fired multiple shots, resulting in the tragic death of Alexandra Faith Gillikin and the critical injury of Nicholas Raspino.
The community rallied together to support the families of the victims, with GoFundMe campaigns raising funds for funeral and medical expenses. Alexandra Faith Gillikin's family received an outpouring of love and support, as they remembered her as a free spirit who lived life to the fullest and brought joy to those around her. The legal proceedings against Jonathan Casey Rashad Burgess are ongoing, as the community seeks justice for the senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a young woman with so much potential.
