Joshua Lewis McSwain, a 27-year-old male from Shelby, North Carolina, tragically passed away on June 23, 2019. Born on August 30, 1991, in Cleveland County, Joshua was the son of Lynn Robbins and the late Billy Lewis Watson. He was a devoted father to his children, Tanner Jordan McSwain and Alyvia Grace McSwain, and was known for his love of family and friends.
Joshua enjoyed playing football and coaching his son, always striving to provide a better life for his children.
The circumstances surrounding Joshua's death were deeply distressing. On the morning of June 23, 2019, Joshua was involved in an altercation outside Golden Boys Bar on East Marion Street in Shelby. The argument, which occurred around 2:30 a.m., escalated, and Joshua was shot multiple times. Despite being armed, Joshua did not draw his weapon before he was fatally shot. The police found his concealed weapon still on him when they arrived at the scene.
Gavonna Antonio Craig, a 43-year-old male from Shelby, was arrested and charged with Joshua's murder. Craig, who had previously won a $1 million lottery prize in 2016, was taken into custody without incident on June 26, 2019. He had a history of misdemeanor convictions, including communicating threats, driving under the influence, and assault on a female. Craig's first court appearance took place on June 27, 2019, where he expressed his intention to hire his own attorney.
Joshua's mother, Lynn Robbins, expressed a mix of relief and ongoing grief upon learning of Craig's arrest. She vowed to attend every court session to ensure justice for her son. The family, including Joshua's young children, struggled to cope with the loss. Joshua's funeral was held on June 29, 2019, at First Baptist Church of Lawndale, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects and remember his life.
The investigation into Joshua's death highlighted the senseless nature of the violence that claimed his life. The community of Shelby mourned the loss of a young man who had so much to live for, and the legal proceedings against Craig continued as the family sought closure and justice for Joshua.
