Jacksonville, North Carolina was shaken Friday afternoon when what began as a casual gathering at a home turned into a deadly incident. Around 12:18 p.m. on April 3, 2026, emergency crews were called to a residence on Maynard Boulevard after reports of a stabbing. What responders found soon after would change the course of a family’s life.
Inside that house, 47‑year‑old Barry Keith Cooper was discovered with serious wounds.
Neighbors said people had been laughing and talking just moments earlier, and no one expected violence to erupt in a place that had been quiet for weeks. Cooper, known around his Jacksonville neighborhood for always offering a friendly greeting and a wave, was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
Investigators from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office quickly worked the scene. By early afternoon, they had taken 19‑year‑old Shakim Zion Bullock into custody without incident. Bullock, also from Jacksonville, was booked on charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. He remains in jail with no bond set and is due to appear in court on Monday.
Family members described Cooper as a calm, kind man who loved barbecue evenings and catching up with old friends. They say he was not one to provoke trouble and that Friday’s events were completely out of character for the gathering he was attending. His loss has left his family and neighbors struggling to find meaning in what should have been a normal afternoon together.
Officials have said the investigation is ongoing and have not publicly disclosed a motive for the stabbing. Neighbors told reporters they heard raised voices before the incident but nothing that indicated danger. Some said they saw people running from the house after the call for help went out.
Friends of Cooper are planning a small memorial at the home on Maynard Boulevard, where flowers and candles now mark the spot. They have invited anyone who knew him to share stories and memories, framing his life around laughter and community rather than the terrible way it ended.
Authorities are asking anyone with tips or information about what happened to contact the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office. In the meantime, a community that prides itself on close‑knit ties is trying to heal after losing one of its own so abruptly.
