The Sanford man who took his life Thursday in downtown Sanford after a stand-off with police was a fixture at Southern Lee High School athletic events and even donned the McGruff the Crime Dog costume for various law enforcement events in the area.
Chris Feaster was 28.
According to Sanford Police, Feaster (though not named in the official report) was discovered by officers sitting in front of a building on Charlotte Avenue, near La Dolce Vita pizzeria, armed with a gun and threatening to harm himself. Feaster shot himself after a 90-minute stand-off with police that included street closures and lockdowns of nearby businesses and offices.
News of his death spread quickly on social media, with friends and family posting several tributes and statements of disbelief Thursday.
“If [you] ever went to Southern Lee or worked at Southern Lee, you had some type of encounter with Chris Feaster,” his friend Lamont Piggie wrote on Facebook. “Chris was always helping out at the school, especially helping with football and basketball games. He always had a smile on his face. Never met a stranger and was a pretty good drummer. I remember several times when we would break out in to a good ole gospel song or he would give you the ‘word of the day.'”
Below are a few of the tributes to Feaster posted to his public Facebook page Thursday.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.
It is with deepest regret, and sincere sympathy that I reach out to the family and friends of dear Chris Feaster. I’m so sorry for untimely ending of his life! He was a kind, gentleman.
Chris was a dear and wonderful friend. He was one that kept everyone with a smile on their face. May you rest peacefully dear friend.
On behalf of Pastor Eric & Lady Lesley Thomas along with True Vine Apostolic Ministries Church family. Send our love and thoughts to the family of Chris. As you go through this difficult time God will comfort you. Stay and be encouraged and hold on to Gods unchanging hand.
So unreal Can’t believe u gone Monday night was our last conversation. You was So Loved by many Prayers for your Mom and Dad and Family and Friends Smile on Son gone but I will Never forget you Chris 😘
Why was no attempt made to disable him? I would rather see someone shoot him in the leg and he lives than allowed to shoot himself in the head and die. A fire truck could have been brought in and could have took him down. Seems like something else could have been done by Sanford’s so called Finest.
I love you Key !!! Missing you!!! …thanks for all the love you showed us all in Lillington…I still don’t want this to be true… You will forever be in our hearts ❤ FOREVER I “Promise” you….Promise will forever remember the push you gave us to make us want to sing more and for making the call for me to make my dream come true =Our 1st CD. I❤you brAh brAh…4eva & eva