Christopher Jakim Small, a 37-year-old African American male, tragically passed away on June 17, 2017, in Henderson, North Carolina. Born on April 8, 1980, in Kings County, New York, Christopher was the son of Glenn Evans and Cynthia Small. He was a resident of Henderson at the time of his death.
The circumstances surrounding Christopher's death were grim. On June 28, 2017, the Vance County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with his murder. Tatiana Deamor McKoy and Akeem Rumeal Grissett, both residents of Fayetteville, North Carolina, were charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. The authorities were also seeking a third individual, known by the alias "Memphis," described as a black male with a light complexion, approximately six feet tall, with a slim build and medium hair.
The investigation into Christopher's murder revealed that he had been the victim of a violent crime. The details of the incident and the motives behind it were not fully disclosed, but the arrests of McKoy and Grissett indicated a premeditated act of violence. The Vance County Sheriff's Office urged anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of the third suspect to come forward.
The legal proceedings for McKoy and Grissett were set to take place in July 2017. McKoy's court date was scheduled for July 24, 2017, while Grissett's court date was set for July 31, 2017. Both individuals were held without bond, reflecting the severity of the charges against them.
Christopher Jakim Small's untimely death left a void in the lives of his family and friends. His funeral service was held on June 23, 2017, at Antioch United Church of Christ in Henderson, where loved ones gathered to pay their respects and mourn the loss of a beloved son, brother, and friend. The community of Henderson was left grappling with the senseless violence that claimed the life of a 37-year-old African American man, and the search for justice continued as the legal process unfolded.
