Bryan Barnette Bellamy Jr., a 21-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on April 21, 2016, in Clarkton, North Carolina. The circumstances surrounding his death were deeply distressing, as he was the victim of a shooting incident. Bryan was a resident of 1817 Elkton Road, Clarkton, and his untimely demise left the community in shock and mourning.
Following the incident, two suspects were apprehended and charged in connection with Bryan's death.
Haywood Lee Lewis, a 38-year-old male from Elizabethtown, North Carolina, faced charges of first-degree murder. Lewis had a history of criminal activity, including convictions for common law robbery and assault, as well as various drug offenses under an alias in New York. The court denied him bail, citing the severity of the charges and his criminal record.
The second suspect, Christopher Jaquan Smith, a 24-year-old male from Clarkton, was also charged with first-degree murder. Smith had prior convictions for marijuana possession, breaking and entering, and larceny. The court also denied him bail, considering the gravity of the charges and his criminal history. According to the information presented in court, Lewis was allegedly the driver of the vehicle involved in the shooting, while Smith was identified as the trigger puller.
The case against both suspects was built on the felony murder theory, which holds individuals accountable for deaths that occur during the commission of certain felonies. The prosecution argued that at least one round was fired into the side of a home, meeting the criteria for this theory. The court proceedings were closely followed by the community, as they sought justice for Bryan Barnette Bellamy Jr. and his grieving family.
Bryan's funeral service was held on April 27, 2016, at the F.W. Newton Chapel in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, followed by his burial at Welches Creek Cemetery in Whiteville, North Carolina. The loss of this young man was a poignant reminder of the impact of violence on individuals and communities, and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for victims.
