Christopher Bradley Crocker, a 47-year-old White male from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed on Friday afternoon, April 17, 2026, in Cumberland County. He was also known to family and friends as Brad. Authorities said deputies responded at about 3:05 p.m. to a reported shooting in the 100 block of Jacklyn Road, where Crocker was found dead after what was later described as a fatal shooting.
The circumstances released publicly remain limited, but the death was treated as a homicide
rather than a random act of violence. Reports from family and memorial sources said Crocker was taken by gunfire while working on a vehicle, turning an ordinary afternoon into a sudden and devastating loss for the people closest to him. His obituary described his death as tragic and sudden, and remembered him as someone with a big heart who was willing to help others whenever he could.
Crocker worked as an electrician and was described by loved ones as dependable, funny, caring, and generous. Family members said he had recently been working to get back on his feet and was showing determination through difficult parts of his life. His children were described as his greatest pride. He was survived by his daughter Harmoni, her husband Francisco, their son Valentino, his son Christopher, his parents Bobby and Donna Crocker, and several extended family members.
In the days after the shooting, investigators released Crocker’s name and continued looking into what led up to the gunfire on Jacklyn Road. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office indicated the shooting did not appear to be random, suggesting investigators believed there was some connection or circumstance behind the encounter, though public reports did not provide a full motive.
An arrest was announced several days later. Seventeen-year-old Jalil Maurcuese Gillis was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Crocker’s death. Because Gillis was a juvenile, he was taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice after being charged. Public reports did not identify any additional suspects, and no trial or conviction information was available in the online sources reviewed. Authorities asked anyone with further information to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office homicide investigators or submit tips anonymously through Crimestoppers.
