North Carolina

North Carolina dad accused of killing child’s grandmother with car, running off afterwards

Published

9 months ago

April 9, 2025

Press Room

North Carolina dad accused of killing child’s grandmother with car, running off afterwards

Bradford Brown was given a $500,000 bond and ordered to have no contact with his child, the child’s mother or the 72-year-old victim’s husband.

A North Carolina custody exchange turned deadly when the child’s grandmother was allegedly hit and killed by his father.

Bradford Brown, 35, was arrested on Friday in Wake County, North Carolina, on a charge of felony voluntary manslaughter, according to court documents. Appearing at the Wake County Justice Center on Monday, Brown told the court he was “sorry” for his actions, reported local news outlets CBS17 and WRAL.

Wake County Assistant District Attorney Doug Faucette outlined an alleged series of events to Judge Mark Stevens Monday, saying Brown hit his 6-year-old son’s maternal grandmother, 72-year-old Fukuyo Koketsu Bryant, with a car after an argument broke out during a custody exchange.

What allegedly happened at Fukuyo Koketsu Bryant’s home?

Faucette alleged that the conflict began in the driveway of Bryant’s Apex home around 10 p.m. on Friday after Brown came to pick his child up without a proper car seat, reported CBS17 and WRAL. Bryant allegedly tried reaching into the car after the child was placed inside without the seat, reported WRAL, and it was after that that Faucette said “(Brown) put his car in reverse, accelerating onto the victim.“

A search warrant reviewed by USA TODAY said the rear passenger door hit Bryant as Brown reversed into her, knocking her onto the ground, where she was then run over by the car’s tires. He then allegedly brought the child into the home before escaping on foot, though he was arrested shortly after.

Bryant died on the road where she was struck, WRAL reported.

Bradford Brown’s child’s mother’s attorney says ‘he was volatile in the past’

Brown and the child’s mother, Crystal Bryant, had been in an ongoing custody battle leading up to the incident, reported local outlets. In court, Bryant’s existing custody lawyer, attorney C. Melody Davalos, said, “There have been numerous instances where he was volatile in the past.”

When asked about the child’s condition, Davalos told the court, “Was he physically harmed? No. Scarred for his entire life? Yes.“

Judge Stevens set a bond of $500,000 and ordered that Brown have no contact with his child, Crystal Bryant, or Harold Bryant, the husband of the victim. Brown was issued a public defender and instructed to wear an ankle monitor for at-home arrest if he does meet bond.

An additional man who was in the car with Brown was identified but is not a victim, officials told CBS17.

USA TODAY reached out to Brown’s attorney for comment but has not received a response.

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North Carolina

North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

Published

22 minutes ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina DL, former four-star prospect plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

North Carolina defensive lineman D’antre Robinson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. He transferred to UNC from Florida ahead of the 2025 campaign.

In his lone season with the Tar Heels, Robinson made 12 appearances. He recorded 39 tackles and a forced fumble. He was also credited with half a sack.

As a true freshman at Florida in 2024, Robinson played in 11 games. He notched 16 tackles, including three for loss, as well as 1.5 sacks.

D’antre Robinson played high school football at Jones (FL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 267 overall player and No. 27 defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.

This past season was legendary head coach Bill Belichick‘s first at the helm of North Carolina. UNC posted a 4-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark in conference play

In December, Belichick hired former Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to serve in the same role for the Tar Heels next season. In November, there was speculation that Belichick would return to the professional ranks. Alas, the 73-year-old HC quickly squashed those rumors.

“Despite circulating rumors, I have not and will not pursue any NFL head coaching vacancies,” Belichick wrote. “Since arriving in Chapel Hill, my commitment to the UNC Football program has not waivered.

“We have tremendous support from the university, our alumni, and the entire Carolina community. My focus remains solely on continuing to improve this team, develop our players, and build a program that makes Tar Heel fans proud.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

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North Carolina

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Experienced former North Carolina tight end signs with Auburn

Auburn’s latest incoming transfer brings experience and production to what was a position of weakness last season.

Former North Carolina tight end Jake Johnson signed with Auburn on Saturday, a source confirmed to AL.com. Johnson is the third transfer tight end Auburn has signed since the portal opened, joining Jonathan Echols and Xavier Newsom.

Johnson, however, is the most proven of Auburn’s signees at tight end. He brings four years of experience at North Carolina and Texas A&M, catching 16 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in 2025.

His best season came with the Aggies in 2023, during which he caught 24 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, he brings versatility to Auburn’s tight end room and may be the best pass catching option.

With Johnson now signed, Auburn’s tight end room is now up to five players, putting the Tigers in a good spot going into the 2026 season.

The transfer portal officially opened on Jan. 2 and will remain open until Jan. 16. Keep up with all of Auburn’s incoming and outgoing transfers here.

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North Carolina

2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

2 Important Keys to North Carolina Entering Wake

Saturday is a monumental game for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are coming off an embarrassing defensive performance against the SMU Mustangs last weekend. Boopie Miller and the Mustangs dominated the tempo of the game, leading to a 97-83 win over the Tar Heels.

North Carolina will be hosting the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday night. The Tar Heels enter this contest with a 13-2 overall record and a 1-1 conference record. Meanwhile, Wake Forest owns a 10-6 overall record and a 1-1 conference record.

With that brief preview, let’s take a look at a couple of keys to the game that will be deciphering factors in the outcome of this matchup.

Can North Carolina Bounce Back Defensively?

Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs guard Boopie Miller (2) drives to the basket past North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While speaking with the media on Friday during his press conference, head coach Hubert Davis explained what he saw on film against SMU, and how that will be the main message heading into Saturday.

“Obviously, disappointed defensively,” Davis said. “It was just a number of things. I mean, it was on transition, one-on-one, not boxing out at times, not talking and communicating the right way, discipline, shot fake, stay down, putting guys at the free throw line. And so, I was really excited about this week not having a midweek game, to actually have practice. To practice on us, as opposed to preparing for Wake Forest until the latter part of the week. So, I felt like it was a perfect time not to have a midweek game, to be able to get to practice and start doing fundamentally the things that have allowed us all year to be a pretty good defensive team.”

Jan 3, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Juke Harris (2) with a lay up defended by Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jailen Bedford (0) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake Forest’s top offensive weapon is Juke Harris, who is averaging 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.

Last week, the Tar Heels struggled against their opponent’s best player, but Harris and Miller are drastically different players, so North Carolina may be able to contain the 6-foot-7, 200-pound guard more sufficiently. Nonetheless, the Tar Heels’ perimeter defense has to be stellar to win comfortably.

Backcourt Production Has to be Noticeable

Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) looks to move the ball past SMU Mustangs guard B.J. Edwards (0) during the game between the Mustangs and the Tar Heels at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

We already know that Seth Trimble will do his part, but someone between Kyan Evans, Luka Bogavac, and Derek Dixon have to step up with an efficient performance. The trio has been extremely underwhelming for the majority of the season, especially Evans and Bogavac.

For Evans and Bogavac to find sustain success and confidence, a strong outing will go a long way in that regard. Saturday is an important game for the Tar Heels’ guard who need to show a sign of life with conference play heating up.

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