FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Fayetteville neighborhood was shattered by gunfire Sunday night after a woman and her two adult children were shot and killed in a Fayetteville triple shooting inside their own home, police confirmed.
Officers with the Fayetteville Police Department were dispatched around 9:35 p.m. to the 5200 block of North Sumac Circle following multiple calls reporting shots fired. When officers arrived, they found 50-year-old Cheri Smith, her 29-year-old son Erin Poole, and her 23-year-old daughter Amanda Smith suffering from gunshot wounds inside the residence.
Fayetteville Mother and Children Killed
Police said Cheri Smith and Erin Poole were pronounced dead at the scene. Amanda Smith was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries.
Altercation Turns Deadly
During the investigation, detectives learned that 25-year-old Nijyle Lewis, a Fayetteville man described by police as an associate of Cheri Smith, was also involved.
According to authorities, Lewis had been stabbed multiple times during an altercation and fled the scene seeking help at a nearby residence. He was later transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. As of Monday afternoon, police said his condition was stable.
Investigators determined that an argument between Cheri Smith and Lewis escalated into violence, ultimately leading to Smith and her two children being shot inside the home, while Lewis was stabbed during the confrontation.
Social media users say Lewis was allegedly defending himself when he fired shots.
Murder Charges Filed
Fayetteville police charged Lewis as the suspect and have obtained warrants charging him with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cheri Smith, Erin Poole, and Amanda Smith.
However, as of Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed the warrants had not yet been served due to Lewis continuing to receive medical treatment for his injuries.
Police emphasized that the incident is believed to be isolated, and they stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue to piece together the events that led to the deadly shooting.
