A dispute at a Rome, New York softball tournament turned fatal for 34-year-old Theodore Joseph 'TJ' Chrystie. On the evening of Sunday, July 14, 2024, what began as a verbal altercation among players at Haselton-Wright Park escalated into a physical struggle that ended with Chrystie suffering a gunshot wound to the neck. He succumbed to his injuries two days later, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a local hospital.
Earlier in the evening, police had been called to the park due to reports of
a dispute. Officers spoke with softball league board members who had initially wanted Chrystie removed from the premises for disruptive behavior. However, they later relented, allowing him to stay with the understanding that there would be no further conflict. For a time, the peace was kept.
The situation unraveled after the final game of the night as players and spectators were leaving. Another verbal disagreement broke out between Chrystie and other players. During this confrontation, a handgun was introduced into the conflict. A struggle for the weapon ensued, and in the chaos, the gun discharged, striking Chrystie.
Subsequent investigations by the Rome Police Department revealed that the handgun involved in the shooting was not legally possessed. Despite the ongoing investigation into the shooting death of the male victim, authorities have not yet announced any arrests or publicly identified any suspects in connection with the incident. The case remains under active investigation, and no charges have been filed.
