On October 26, 2024, at about 10:12 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the 2000 block of Cowan Street. They found 37-year-old Jonathan Charles East suffering from gunshot wounds; he was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and later died of his injuries.

Jonathan East was born September 27, 1987, to Rick and Holly Eastman. He spent most of his life in Clayton, North Carolina, and had moved to Fayetteville in recent years. He is survived by his son Aiden, his parents, his brother Brian Eastman, and his niece Chloe Eastman. A visitation and memorial service were held on November 2, 2024, at Reeves Funeral Home in Hope Mills, North Carolina.

The Fayetteville Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward; Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crimestoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest. If anyone knew Jonathan or has information about the shooting, please contact Detective A. Wolford at (910) 705-2141 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).