An 18-year-old TikTok influencer was fatally shot at a New Jersey beach on June 12, just hours after posting his final video from the same location where he would later die. Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Chrystofer A. Whyte, who had amassed more than 100,000 followers on the social media platform under the username hi.imchrys.
The Long Branch Police Department responded to reports of shots fired at Pier Village in Long Branch at 8:58 p.m. on June 12. Officers discovered Whyte suffering from a single gunshot wound and pronounced him dead at the scene. The North Brunswick resident was just two days away from his 19th birthday.
A juvenile defendant, whose name remains confidential due to his age, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, and hindering. The minor is currently being held at a juvenile detention center.
Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, was charged as an alleged accomplice with second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree hindering, and fourth-degree possession of a prohibited weapon. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges in a press release on July 1.
On the day of his death, Whyte posted two videos on TikTok. One video showed him reclining in a chair with a message advising his followers to stay away from people who ignore them until they need them. His final video, which has since garnered over six million views, was filmed at the Long Branch beach where he was later killed. The video showed him sitting in a striped blue beach chair, panning the camera to reveal beachgoers behind him and his pink swim trunks, with the hashtag #longbranch in the caption.
Beyond his social media presence, Whyte was a student athlete at Woodbridge High School, where he played football and wrestled. His former football coach, Joseph LaSala, who worked with the teenager for three seasons, paid tribute to him following news of his death. LaSala indicated that Whyte brought energy and enthusiasm every day, describing him as respectful and focused. “This is heartbreaking,” LaSala stated.
Friends of Whyte reported that local individuals had recently been antagonizing him during his TikTok live videos and calling him names. Jaiden Roche, a close friend of the victim, suggested that the situation was about egos. However, it remains unclear whether the two suspects were involved in the apparent bullying or if they knew Whyte personally.
The investigation into Whyte’s death remains ongoing, with authorities still probing the motive behind the shooting. Despite the arrests, investigators have not disclosed what led to the fatal encounter at the popular beach destination.
Following Whyte’s death, Roche launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraising effort has raised approximately $16,000 as of recent reports. In the campaign description, Roche wrote that Whyte meant so much to everyone and that the tragedy has had a huge impact on his family and friends.
The shooting occurred at Pier Village, a popular waterfront destination in Long Branch, New Jersey. The timing of the incident, just before 9 p.m. on a summer evening, suggests the beach area would have been crowded with visitors.
Whyte’s death has attracted significant attention online, with videos allegedly showing the altercation between him and his assailants posted on TikTok. Additionally, fans have created videos discussing his death, while his final posts have gone viral since the incident.
The day before his death, Whyte had posted another video with an inspirational message, expressing confidence that everything would work out in the end. This content was characteristic of his social media presence, where he was known for posting motivational quotes and messages.
The case highlights the intersection of social media influence and real-world violence, as Whyte’s final moments were documented on the same platform that had brought him recognition. His TikTok account remains active, serving as a digital memorial to the young content creator who graduated from high school in 2024.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Long Branch Police Department as the investigation continues.
