A 15-year-old male, Christopher Iziekel Easton, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Easton was a sophomore at North Side High School where he was known for his love of sports, especially basketball and football. His friends and family remember him as someone who enjoyed playing video games, dancing, and was a loving uncle and big brother.
The incident that led to Easton's death occurred just after midnight in the 4900 block of Vance Avenue.
He was the victim of a shooting and his death was ruled as the second homicide in Allen County for the year. The circumstances that led to the shooting have not been publicly detailed.
Following an investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department Homicide Unit, a 14-year-old male suspect, Gregory Watkins, was identified. Watkins was apprehended in Lebanon, Tennessee, on January 24, 2024, after a high-risk traffic stop coordinated with the Lebanon Police Department. He was subsequently extradited to Indiana to face legal proceedings.
Gregory Watkins has been charged as an adult with one count of murder in connection with Christopher Easton's death. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to 85 years in prison, with an additional penalty for the use of a firearm in the commission of the crime. The case was moved to the adult court system in March 2024.
