Death and Fire Investigation - 1000 block of Rulnick Street
Published on February 18, 2026
Roberto E. Bryan Jr.
Chief of Police
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer
Date: February 18, 2026 Phone: (910) 433-1487 OCA: 2026-003366
All suspects, and persons charged with a crime, are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Persons of interest are believed to have information relating to a case, and have not been charged unless stated otherwise.
Death and Fire Investigation
(Fayetteville, NC) - The Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fayetteville Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into a structure fire that resulted in the loss of life on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
At approximately 7:54 pm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, members of the fire department, police department, and emergency medical services responded to an apartment located along the 1000 block of Rulnick Street for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, first responders observed fire coming from the apartment. Fire department personnel entered the apartment and located an unconscious male.
The unconscious male was pronounced deceased on scene. The decedent was identified as Lenny Meade (Black male, 45 years of age) of Fayetteville, N.C. Meade’s next of kin has been notified.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective B. Ramirez at (910) 309-6140.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet, or by downloading the FREE “P3 Tips” app available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and available for Android devices in Google Play.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty
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