On December 8, 2023, at approximately 8:50 p.m., 30-year-old Coty Allen Gales was fatally shot on Vacation Street in Supply, North Carolina. Responding to the incident, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office arrested 50-year-old James Riley Spivey of Supply, charging him with first-degree murder. Spivey was detained without bond, with a probable cause hearing scheduled for January 4, 2024.
In the months leading up to his death, Gales had been active on social media, alleging that certain individuals were involved in sexual assault and pedophilia. In a post dated October 12, 2023, he mentioned plans to report these allegations to authorities and expressed concerns for his safety, suggesting that if he were to die under mysterious circumstances, those he had accused should be investigated. On November 18, 2023, Gales reiterated his accusations, naming specific individuals and expressing fear for his life.
The connection between Gales's social media allegations and his subsequent death remains unclear. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing. Spivey's next court appearance is set for January 4, 2024.
Gales is survived by his parents, Keith Allen Gales and Regina Lynn Bellamy Simmons, as well as his two sons, Kaden and Mason. He was preceded in death by his brother, Tyler Gales. Funeral services were held on December 15, 2023, at United Vision Church in Shallotte, North Carolina, followed by burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery.
