A Garland woman is behind bars following a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation and fatal stabbing of a 29-year-old acquaintance, Sampson County Sheriff’s officials said.
Christine Johnson Crenshaw, 51, of 11676 Old Mintz Hwy., Garland, was taken into custody following the stabbing death of Chakyra Qiauana Yates, 29, who was fatally wounded at the Old Mintz Highway residence. Crenshaw has been charged with murder and was placed in the Sampson County Detention Center without privilege of bond.
Crenshaw has a court date set for this Friday, July 13.
According to sheriff’s reports, at 3:32 p.m. Saturday, deputies with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a stabbing victim at 11676 Old Mintz Highway, Garland. Upon arrival, deputies found Yates injured from apparent stab wounds inside the residence. An incident report indicated that Yates was stabbed in the chest. It was not clear how many wounds were inflicted.
Deputies and emergency personnel rendered medical aid to the injured victim, but Yates succumbed to her injuries on scene.
Investigators responded to the location and began processing the scene. During that subsequent probe, it was learned that Yates and Crenshaw had gotten into a verbal altercation that turned physical. At some point during their altercation, Crenshaw stabbed Yates, inflicting serious bodily injury. As a result of the investigation, Crenshaw received the murder charge.
Authorities were mum on details in the case, or a possible motive in the murder, saying that no further information would be released. In a Facebook post on the Sampson Independent’s page, Garland Mayor Winifred Hill Murphy offered her condolences to all involved.
“The Town of Garland and the Garland Community extend our love and prayers to the Crenshaw, Johnson and Yates Family during this most unfortunate and tragic time,” Murphy stated.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, Crenshaw, listed under the name Christine Johnson, has previous convictions, most recently in Bladen County on charges of willful/wanton injury to real property and hit and run. She received a suspended sentence and probation, court records show. Her other state conviction, assault on a public official, came in Cumberland County in 2004. She also received a suspended sentence for that offense.
