R.I.P. Tommy Falcone, East Carolina Unvierstiy

A 20-year-old Greenville man was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with an open count of murder in connection with the early morning shooting death of a former East Carolina University student.

Ph...illip Bertolet Blythe Lewis, 20, 501 Guilder Lane, was one of several people taken into custody after police discovered Tommy Christopher Falcone, 22, of Copper Beech Way in the parking lot of Pirate's Cove Apartments on East 10th Street.

Lewis was being held in the Pitt County Detention Center on Monday night under no bond.

Police were responding to a reported altercation involving a group of people when they discovered Falcone.

Falcone, who previously lived in Red Bank, N.J., was the victim of a single gunshot wound, according to a Greenville Police Department news release. He was transported to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Lt. R.A. Williams with the Greenville Police Department said it appears the shooting started as a dispute involving five to seven people that in the parking lot of the Copper Beech Town Homes, off East 10th Street.

At some point, the incident moved across the street to the parking lot of St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church, 3251 E. 10th St., Williams said. He would not say how Falcone ended up at Pirate's Cove.

Williams said Monday no additional details would be made available.

An administrative worker at St. Paul said she was contacted by the church's pastor early Monday morning and told that police had closed off the church grounds while examining the scene. A white pickup truck was transported from the scene by police.

Lewis enrolled in ECU in 2008 and attended a summer semester. He was scheduled to start fall semester classes later this month, but was suspended after police charged him, ECU spokesman John Durham said. Falcone attended ECU for one semester in 2008.

Lewis had no previous criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, according to the websites for state Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Corrections.

Falcone had pending court cases for misdemeanor charges of simple affray, breaking and entering and assault.

While police carried out their investigation, Falcone's friends struggled with the loss of their friend.

Layton Cross, who works at The Other Place on East Fifth Street, saw Falcone and several of his friends Sunday night at a birthday party that was being held at the bar.

"We had a conversation about the (television series) 'Jersey Shore.' Because of him being from that area and being Italian, we joked about it," Cross said. Falcone had a great sense of humor, Cross said, and liked to imitate the mannerisms of the cast.

"When I heard about (Falcone's death), I just broke down in tears," said Joe Roy-Macauley, who met Falcone about a year ago while they both worked as bouncers at downtown clubs.

Roy-Macauley had been out of town during the weekend and said he didn't learn about the shooting until later Monday.

"I woke up this morning and I was on Facebook and I saw all these random postings. So I went to my next-door neighbor, we all knew each other, and he told me what happened," he said.

"A lot of people cared about him and he would do anything he could for you. He would help you however he could," he said.

Roy-Macauley worked security at a downtown restaurant and met Falcone about a year ago.

"His personality was fun and outgoing. He was a little bit of a ladies' man. He was just fun," he said.

Roy-Macauley said Falcone enjoyed getting groups of people together for a night out and sitting around and telling stories.

"When he was around you were guaranteed to have some fun," he said.

Jonathan Oxendine met Falcone through mutual friends. They also attended the same gym. They further bonded when Falcone told Oxendine he briefly attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, near Oxendine's hometown of Fairmont.

"We've basically been hanging out for about a year," Oxendine said.

They routinely lifted weights together. Oxendine said Falcone liked the confidence that came from being healthy and fit. He last saw Falcone on Saturday night and ribbed him about missing a workout session they had planned.

"I gave him a hard time. I didn't know it would be the last time I talked to him," he said.

"He introduced me to a lot of different girls. He just knew a lot of people in general," Oxendine said. "But he didn't come off as cocky. He was a real modest, mellow guy."

It took a lot to upset Falcone, Oxendine said. While he didn't know details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, Oxendine said it's hard to believe Falcone or his friends would have started a fight. Roy-Macauley agreed.

"I don't think (Falcone) would have started it. It sounds like he was just trying to help a friend out," Roy-Macauley said.

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[sikenne]

I made this video so my Godson Brandon never forgets how special his Best Friend Tommy was to him. He can always go on here and remember him and the special times they had.

[cfalc2914]

Thank you for making this video for my son Tommy.

[sikenne]

@cfalc2914 My god son Brandon Staton, has been having a hard time still with Tommy's death......I hope you and your family continue to heal.

[FOREVERWILDxx]

rest in peace bro....

[boorittxo]

@cfalc2914 You have such a beautiful son. I know he has touched a lot of hearts.

[1998disco72]

Why is it when someone goes off to school has to be shot? Not right! I am sorry for the friends, and family of this individual. So sad! I never knew you but you did not deserve this.

[NikkiBritt06]

Tommy we are so sorry for losing you. We hope the one's that wronged you will pay behind bars for a very long time, so no one else has to suffer such and unfair loss. We love you Tommy and you will live on in our hearts. Your Loving Family,

Cousin John, Terry, Brittany and Michael

[mgxnhc80]

god bless him



[NEWSonLULZ]

@MrFsinner A RICH KID COWARD SHOT HIM IN THE BACK

[hannahjoyquinn]

I know this doesn't help but he is in a better place now and always watching over you :P

[cfalc2914]

Thanks for watching the video..and taking the time out for writing..

[cfalc2914]

Every day is a struggle..my heart feels like it has a weight on top of it...hard to breath at times...my eye's tear old day long..I will never heal from this.. only die of a broken heart..