On the evening of November 26, 2024, at approximately 9:55 p.m., Garner police responded to a reported shooting at the Comet Garner Apartments on Isner Lane, located off U.S. 401/Fayetteville Road just north of Ten Ten Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered 44-year-old Stefan Winston Jr. deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds.
The investigation quickly identified 37-year-old Tyika Lashon Johnson as a person of interest. She was detained on the night of the incident and subsequently charged with Winston Jr.'s murder the following day. Authorities have indicated that the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between Johnson and Winston Jr., suggesting an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
In the wake of Winston Jr.'s tragic death, family and friends have expressed their grief and shared memories on social media. Tributes describe him as a cherished individual, with one cousin referring to him affectionately as "Pooh Bear." Another friend reminisced about recent conversations and plans to reunite, expressing deep sorrow over the sudden loss.
A celebration of life for Stefan Winston was held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Lester Gee Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Family and friends gathered to honor his memory and bid farewell.
This incident adds to the concerning pattern of domestic violence-related homicides in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there have been multiple such cases in 2024, underscoring the critical need for awareness and intervention in domestic disputes.
