‘Be like Seth;’ Friends and family mourn Shallotte man killed in alleged murder
SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY-TV) – In Brunswick County, an Oak Island man appeared in court on Monday after he was charged with murder following a shooting inside a Shallotte residence Saturday night.
Ethan Hughes met Seth Condrey when they were just 11 years old.
“We really started hanging out because we lived in the same neighborhood and that’s what grew our friendship, we were being able to see each other every day and hang out,” Hughes said.
That friendship has continued for over a decade.
“He would call me every day, asking how I’m doing, make sure that I’m alright,” Hughes said. “He would say ‘you know, you got someone who loves you man,’ and I would say ‘I know man, you got someone who loves you too.”
On Saturday night around 11 p.m., the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said 31-year-old Joshua Cull Crook of Oak Island was arrested and charged with shooting and killing Condrey inside of his home in Shallotte on Jay Street.
Condrey, a new father, worked with Crook at Trademark Outdoors in Supply, North Carolina. The two attended a Christmas party on Saturday, where Condrey’s relatives said Crook got drunk.
Condrey opened up his home to Crook who was in need of a place to stay. Witness said Crook used an assault rifle to shoot and kill Condrey.
“It all boils down to Seth being Seth, nice, genuine, big-hearted,” Hughes said.
During Monday’s court hearing, Crook was charged with the undesignated murder of Condrey.
“That man deserves more than death,” Hughes said.
In a statement to WWAY, Tracer Wheeler of Trademark Outdoors said:
“Seth was well-liked, respected, loved young man by every member of the team. He made it easier to come to work because he brought a lot of joy. He didn’t have a negative bone in his body…We are completely devastated by this tragedy.”
Condrey’s family said he was also preparing to go to basic training for the National Guard next month.
“If there’s anything that I can say, it is, be like Seth,” Hughes said.
Crook is currently being held without bond, his next court appearance for a probably cause hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2026.
