A popular TikTok star was tragically gunned down in Long Branch, New Jersey, just hours after posting a selfie video from the same beach. Chrystofer Whyte, 18, had filmed a TikTok video on June 12 near the Pier Village beach before being shot and killed later that evening around 9 p.m.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office reported that the shooting occurred following a confrontation with two suspects: Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, and a juvenile whose identity remains undisclosed due to his age.
The Last Video and the Fatal Shooting
Whyte’s final TikTok post, which was made earlier in the day, shows him recording a selfie video on the beach in Pier Village, just before the shooting took place. As Exilus and the minor opened fire on Whyte, the situation escalated quickly.
The shooting happened just after an outdoor concert at Pier Village, with many people at the scene who became caught in the crossfire.
Cellphone video captured the chaos of the moment, as locals recorded the mayhem that ensued. According to prosecutors, the juvenile suspect shot Whyte multiple times, while Exilus allegedly missed with his shots.
Motive Behind the Shooting
The exact motive behind the shooting remains unclear. However, friends of Whyte have suggested that there may have been feuds between Whyte and local kids, some of whom had allegedly antagonized him during TikTok Live videos, even calling him names in the comments.
Jaiden Roche, a close friend of Whyte, stated in a GoFundMe post for Whyte’s family that the situation likely stemmed from a clash of egos.
“They saw his TikTok post and they ended up coming to the beach,” Roche said, adding that Exilus and the juvenile had come to the beach “knowing they would start problems.” Roche further suggested that the suspects may have had intentions beyond just a fight and that the altercation escalated into violence.
Chrystofer Whyte’s Background
Before his tragic death, Chrystofer Whyte was a local football and wrestling star at Woodbridge High School. Whyte had gained a significant following on TikTok, amassing more than 90,000 followers. He was also building a career as a content creator, making a good living from his social media presence.
His friend Roche described Whyte’s intentions that day: “It was just to have a good day at the beach with his friends.”
Charges Against the Suspects
The suspects involved in the shooting, Exilus and the minor, have been charged with multiple crimes, including murder, conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Exilus is also facing a charge of hindering the investigation.
The juvenile has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon.
Community Reaction and Investigation
Whyte’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many remembering him as a young man with a bright future. His family and friends have expressed their grief, and Roche has shared his frustration, stating that Whyte’s death was senseless.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet released further details regarding the events leading up to the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing.
