May 24, 2013
News
Police: Fight Led To Waffle House Shooting
Cristen Drummond
The 20-year-old victim of a Waffle House shooting leaves his family and friends in disbelief as they try to understand the circumstance behind his tragic death.
Family and friends of Christopher Crowder said they are devastated and don't understand how or why it happened. Crowder’s grandmother Virginia Crowder looked at a photo of her grandson Christopher on Monday and said she knows this year's Christmas celebration won't be the same.
“There will be an empty seat,” Virginia said, “Right now, there's a hole in my heart."
Crowder was shot in the head early Sunday morning after a brawl with a group of people escalated outside the Waffle House off Chambers Rd.
"It's just a senseless act of violence," Virginia said.
Police said Crowder and one suspect, 19-year-old Ashley Brown initially had an argument inside the restaurant. Brown pointed a handgun at Crowder and left but he returned minutes later with a group of people.
"People outside started fighting,” eyewitness Brian Jones said. “They moved to the other side of the Waffle House where I saw two gentlemen punching and kicking one guy."
Jones said Crowder and Brown's friends were fighting in the parking lot before a gun was pulled.
"Somebody said they had a gun, so we immediately got down and when we got down we heard gun shots," Jones said.
Crowder was pronounced dead on scene while his friend Xavier Phelps, 20, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the pelvic region and Chanteira Granville, 19, was grazed by a bullet on her back.
"We're all devastated, some of us are not eating, not sleeping wondering why,” Virginia said.
Macon Police won't reveal any possible motive so far stating it's an ongoing investigation. However, for Crowder's family, all they can do now is continue to remember the go-lucky-guy.
"He was fun to be around and people just took to him,” Virginia said.
"Just your average kid and stuff, like to go out and have fun, you know hang out with his friends,” great uncle Jimmy Coleman said.
Police are still searching for Ashley brown and one more suspect. Brown is described as a light skinned male, 5’7” and 160 pounds. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers or the Macon Police Department. A Macon PD spokesperson said there is a possible second suspect in this case, but at this point in their investigation, they're not ready to reveal who that is or their suspect description.
