Cheri Smith, Fayetteville, North Carolina mom and her two children, Cheri Smith & Erin Poole shot dead following altercation with Nijyle Lewis who was stabbed during incident. ‘Family’ associate now faces 3 murder charges.
A North Carolina woman and her two children are dead following a triple shooting at their Fayetteville home, Sunday night.
Identified as the fatalities were, Cheri Smith, 50, her 29-year-old son, Erin Poole, and her daughter, 23-year-old Amanda Smith. All three were found fatally shot inside their home.
Cheri Smith and Poole were pronounced dead at the scene. Amanda Smith was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she later died, according to a Facebook news release from the Fayetteville police.
Fayetteville suspect stabbed multiple times during fatal shooting that left 3 family members dead
Notice of the calamity came after officers with the Fayetteville Police Department responded to reports of shots fired at 9.35 p.m, in the 5200 block of North Sumac Circle, CBS17 reported.
Police said they also learned 25-year-old Nijyle Lewis of Fayetteville, an associate of Cheri Smith, was stabbed multiple times and sought help at a nearby home. He was treated at a local hospital for life-threatening injuries, and his condition is considered stable as of Monday afternoon.
An investigation determined Cheri Smith and Lewis getting into an altercation, which led to Smith and her children being shot and Lewis being stabbed, according to Fayetteville police.
Neighbors described the victims as ‘close-knit’ family who loved each other
Neighbors who personally knew the family described them as close and caring, ABC11 reported.
‘A very close-knit family. I mean, they definitely loved each other, even just talking to the mom. She absolutely adored her kids. And she was so proud of them,’ Southern told the outlet.
Lewis was identified as the suspect in the shooting, with authorities indicating that he would be charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Police are continuing to review witness statements, video surveillance footage and 911 calls.
