In the quiet community of Stacy along U.S. Highway 70 in Carteret County, the loss of neighbor and friend Timothy Glenn Gaskill Jr. has left a heavy heart in its wake. Known by those who knew him as a warm and spirited man who quietly helped others, Timothy’s life ended Monday evening in a standoff that began as a mental‑health crisis. The tragic outcome highlights both the fragility of life and the urgent need for compassion when someone is facing internal struggle.
On November 3, 2025, deputies from the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man barraging windows and trespassing at a residence on 1235 Highway 70. The man was later identified as Timothy, residing at 1215 Highway 70. When deputies arrived, he was said to have advanced toward them holding two sai blades, then barricaded himself inside his home.
The standoff stretched for hours. Around 8:45 p.m., the county’s special response team was called in to assist. Despite attempts to negotiate and de‑escalate, the situation ended tragically. Medical personnel rendered life‑saving aid, but Timothy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is now leading an independent investigation into the deputy‑involved shooting. As the probe unfolds, family, friends and neighbors are left with deep grief, anger and unanswered questions about how things escalated so far.
To those who knew him, Timothy was far more than this tragic moment. He was remembered for his generous nature, his willingness to help others, and the quiet strength he showed while navigating his own mental‑health challenges. Friends say he never wanted to be the center of attention — he just wanted to be there for those around him. His passing prompts reflection not only on his life, but on how communities respond when someone is hurting.
In the days since his death, neighbors have gathered informally on driveways, in yards and at local spots to share memories of Timothy’s warmth, his readiness to lend a hand, and the laughter he spread even in hard times. While the official investigation moves forward, the community is looking for answers and a way to remember him beyond the flashes of crisis.
This heartbreaking incident also serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of mental‑health intervention, timely support and proper de‑escalation options when law‑enforcement meets someone in crisis. In Carteret County, the sheriff’s office maintains a Crisis Intervention Team dedicated to those aims. Still, the outcome here shows the stakes are painfully high when things go off track.
Though nothing can fill the void left behind, Timothy’s memory lives on: in the small acts of kindness he offered, in the smiles he brought to those around him, and in the pain his passing has stirred. May he rest in peace, and may his story prompt the kind of compassion and care that reminds us all of our shared humanity.