Christian Anthony Jamal O'Neil, a 15-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on November 12, 2021, in Greensboro, North Carolina. O'Neil, who was a freshman at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, had been on the junior varsity football team until about a month prior to his death when he was moved off the team due to attendance issues.
On the evening of November 12, just before 6 p.m., police responded to a shooting in the 3800 block of Central Avenue in Greensboro and found O'Neil suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, O'Neil succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The investigation into O'Neil's death revealed that he had been in Greensboro for at least a couple of weeks before the shooting. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police have not released any suspect descriptions. However, on December 13, 2021, an 18-year-old named Julius Jurelle Burley was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with O'Neil's death. Burley, also from Greensboro, was taken into custody a month after the incident. The investigation is still ongoing, and police are continuing to gather information to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
O'Neil's family and friends remember him as a responsible, respectful, and quiet individual who avoided fights at all costs. Raised by a single mother, he was the oldest of five siblings and was also supported by his grandparents and uncles. O'Neil was an all-around sportsman who loved football and basketball. His death has left a significant impact on his community, and his family continues to seek justice for their beloved son and brother. The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers.
