Christopher Chad Bostic, a 37-year-old white male, tragically lost his life on January 22, 2016, in Kinston, North Carolina. Bostic was the owner of The Pit Stop Bar and the Southern Tap Pool League. He was a dedicated family man, survived by his wife, Joy Bostic, and their three daughters, Brooke, Nicole, and C.J. Bostic. He was also a graduate of Ayden-Grifton High School and a passionate Duke fan.
On the day of his death, Bostic was at his place of business when an armed robbery
occurred. During the robbery, an SKS-type rifle was used to fatally shoot Bostic. Another victim, John James Case, was also shot and sustained serious injuries. The incident took place around 1 p.m. at The Pit Stop Bar and Billiards on Highway 11, just north of Kinston. Bostic's wife, Joy, was present during the robbery, having brought her husband lunch. She recounted hearing the back door open and someone demanding money before two armed men entered the bar area. After shots were fired, the suspects fled, and Joy rushed to her husband's side, where he expressed his love for her and their daughters before succumbing to his injuries.
The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office, along with the Kinston Department of Public Safety and the NCSBI, launched an investigation into the murder. Surveillance footage of the suspects' vehicle led to the arrests of three individuals. Tiamel Bradley, a 19-year-old male from LaGrange, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted first-degree murder, and armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. Justin Lavone Lynch, an 18-year-old male from Grifton, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and robbery with a dangerous weapon, among other charges. Travares Marquel Lane, a 21-year-old male from Trenton, was charged with aiding and abetting murder, aiding and abetting attempted murder, aiding and abetting robbery with a dangerous weapon, and accessory after the fact to a felony, among other charges. Bradley and Lynch were held at the W. E. Billy Smith Detention Center without bond.
The investigation into Bostic's murder is ongoing, with authorities continuing to determine if any additional individuals were involved in the incident. Joy Bostic, while finding some closure in the arrests, has expressed that she does not forgive the suspects for taking the life of her soulmate and the father of her children.
