An 18-year-old TikTok influencer was fatally shot at a New Jersey beach just hours after posting his final video from the same location, authorities announced this week, as two suspects were charged in connection with his death.

Chrystofer A. Whyte, known online as hi.imchrys, was struck at least once while at Pier Village in Long Branch just before 9 p.m. on June 12, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. The high school athlete, who had amassed more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Long Branch Police Department responded to reports of shots fired at 8:58 p.m. Officers discovered Whyte, a North Brunswick resident, suffering from a single gunshot wound. Despite emergency response efforts, he was later declared dead at the scene.

A juvenile defendant, whose name remains withheld due to his age, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including murder. The unnamed minor is currently being held at a juvenile detention center.

Dwayne Exilus, 18, of Woodbridge, was also charged as an alleged accomplice. Exilus faces charges of second-degree conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree hindering, and one count of fourth-degree possession of a prohibited weapon.

Despite the arrests, investigators have not yet determined a motive for the shooting. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the investigation remains ongoing.

On the day of his death, Whyte shared two videos on his TikTok account. In one video, he delivered a message to his followers advising them to avoid people who ignore them until they need something. His final post showed him reclining in a striped blue beach chair, panning the camera to reveal beachgoers behind him and his pink swim trunks. He tagged the location as Long Branch in the caption.

Friends of Whyte reported that local individuals had recently been antagonizing him during his TikTok live videos and calling him names. Jaiden Roche, a friend of the victim, indicated that he believed 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.

Beyond his social media presence, Whyte was a student-athlete at Woodbridge High School, where he participated in both football and wrestling. He graduated from the school in 2024. His former football coach, Joseph LaSala, who worked with Whyte for three seasons, paid tribute to the young athlete following news of his death.

LaSala described Whyte as bringing energy and enthusiasm every day, noting that he was respectful, focused and a joy to coach. LaSala said, “Chrys was an unbelievable kid.”

Since Whyte’s death, his friend Jaiden Roche has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraising page has raised more than $16,000 as of recent reports. Roche wrote in the fundraiser’s description that Whyte meant a great deal to everyone and that the incident had a significant impact on his family and friends.

The shooting occurred just two days before Whyte’s 19th birthday. Following his death, videos discussing the incident and Whyte’s final posts have gained attention on social media platforms, with his last video from the beach accumulating more than six million views.

Whyte was known for posting inspirational content on his social media accounts. One day before his death, he had shared a video expressing confidence that everything would work out in the end, reflecting the type of motivational messages he regularly shared with his substantial following.

The incident has drawn significant attention both locally and online, with many of Whyte’s followers and members of the community expressing shock and grief over the loss. The content creator had built a considerable following through his posts, which often featured his positive messages and glimpses into his life as a student-athlete.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Long Branch Police Department. The case remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and any potential connections between the suspects and the victim.