Braxton Devin Farquhar was 34 and worked as an engineering and facilities maintenance technician. Friends and family remembered him as funny, outgoing, and smart. He was killed outside his home in the 100 block of West Sixth Avenue in Gastonia, North Carolina, on the evening of January 11, 2023 — the city’s first homicide of 2023.

Police found Farquhar around 10:30 p.m., deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Prosecutors say the encounter began when his stepson, 23-year-old Christopher Lee Hill, arrived upset after finding his younger half-brother outside unsupervised. Hill allegedly banged on the house, fired into the dwelling, and then argued with Farquhar on the front porch. Witnesses reported Hill shot the unarmed Farquhar, continuing to fire after he fell; an autopsy recorded 17 gunshot wounds, including several to the back.

A warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Hill; he surrendered January 12 and during his initial appearance claimed he had been abused.

Did anyone in Gastonia know Braxton or have information about what happened that night?