Shyheem Ucif Utley, a 19-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on September 29, 2017, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Shyheem, also known as "Hallow" or "Heem," was born on August 20, 1998, at Moore Regional Hospital to Herschell Vincent Goodman and Gwendolyn Monique Utley. He was a member of St. Peters Church in Southern Pines and attended Pinecrest High School, graduating in 2016. Shyheem later attended Sandhills Community College, where he received his diploma.
He worked at various places, including Magnolia Inn, Burger King, and Food Lion, but his true passion was music. Shyheem was a talented up-and-coming hip-hop artist, known for his caring and happy nature.
On the morning of September 29, 2017, Shyheem was fatally shot behind M&S Market at the corner of West Pennsylvania Avenue and South Stephens Street in Southern Pines. He was transported to Moore Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The police confirmed that the shooting was not a random act of violence, as Shyheem knew the shooter.
Timothy Caldell Stanback, a 25-year-old man from Stafford, Virginia, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Shyheem's death. The Southern Pines police responded to the shooting at M&S Market and found Shyheem in the rear of the parking lot. Stanback appeared before a Richmond County magistrate and was held in the Richmond County jail without bond, pending a hearing in Moore County Court on October 24, 2017. The investigation revealed that the two men knew each other before the fatal shooting, and the police continued to seek more information from the community.
Shyheem's death left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and the community. His memory lives on through his music and the many lives he touched during his short time with us.
