Justice for Antonio: Renewed Community Push to Solve 2024 Killing of 7-Year-Old

Two years later, family and community leaders rally to break the silence and find the killer of second-grader Antonio Jamal Maultsby Jr.

By BC News Staff Writer

CHADBOURN, NC — Two years after the gunfire at 2089 Braswell Road claimed the innocent life of a seven-year-old boy, the hunt for answers remains a top priority for Columbus County.

This past March, family members of Antonio Jamal Maultsby Jr. gathered to honor what would have been his ninth birthday. The somber milestone has reignited community focus on the case, with local news outlets and residents working to keep the investigation in the spotlight.

The Incident on Braswell Road

The tragedy occurred on the evening of March 16, 2024. According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Antonio was at home with several adults and a three-year-old toddler, when shots were fired into the residence just before 9:00 p.m.

Antonio was struck twice in the chest. He was transported to Columbus Regional, where he was tragically pronounced dead.

A Musical Tribute and Call for Justice

The local community is finding new ways to ensure Antonio is never forgotten. Lake Waccamaw songwriter Mark Todd, performing as Voodoo Dancer, has released a tribute song titled “Antonio” on all major streaming platforms.

The emotional track recounts the tragic events of the 2024 shooting and serves as a direct effort to aid the investigation. In a selfless act of community support, Mr. Todd is donating 100% of all royalty payments from the song’s streaming to help increase the existing reward fund. Listen on YouTube and on Spotify

The Reward for Answers

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter currently stands at $4,400, a figure that represents a unified front between law enforcement and the local community.

The reward is composed of a $1,000 contribution from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, a $500 seed donation from Chadbourn businessman Ricky Soles, and $2,900 raised through the collective generosity of community members and anonymous donors.

In an effort to further bolster these resources, most recently a local Whiteville radio station has launched a community fundraiser to add to the existing total, ensuring that the incentive for information remains a powerful tool for investigators.

Scan the code above to contribute to the community fundraiser: “Justice for Antonio: Help Catch His Killer.”

A Community in Mourning

Antonio, a student at Chadbourn Elementary at the time of his death, is remembered as a bright child with a promising future. He is survived by his guardian, Martha Davis; his father, Antonio Maultsby Sr.; his mother, Felicia Rose; and his brothers, Frederick, Jaimeer, and Ja’Couri.

As his family continues to seek closure, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public that no detail is too small. Even information that has been held back for two years could be the lead necessary to secure an arrest.

How to Provide Information

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information to come forward using the following confidential methods:

• Direct Line: 910.642.6551

• Online Anonymous Tips: columbussheriff.com/submit-a-tip/

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