Update to Homicide Investigation - 5200 block of N. Sumac Circle

Published on January 26, 2026

Roberto E. Bryan Jr.

Chief of Police

Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer

Date: January 26, 2026 Phone: (910) 433-1487 OCA: 2026-001797

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.

Update to Homicide Investigation

(Fayetteville, NC) – On January 25, 2026, at approximately 9:35 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department were dispatched to the 5200 block of N. Sumac Circle for reports of shots being fired.

The preliminary investigation found that Cheri Smith (White female, 50 years of age), her adult son Erin Poole (White male, 29 years of age), and her adult daughter Amanda Smith (White female, 23 years of age), all of Fayetteville, N.C., were inside their residence along the 5200 block of N. Sumac Circle. At some point, Cheri Smith became involved in an altercation with a known associate of hers, Nijyle Lewis (Black male, 25 years of age), also of Fayetteville, N.C. During the altercation, multiple shots were fired, and a stabbing occurred. Following the incident, Nijyle Lewis, suffering from multiple stab wounds, fled from the scene on foot to a nearby residence to seek help, where emergency services were called.

Officers and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel arrived on scene. Upon entering the residence, they located Cheri Smith and her adult son, Erin Poole, suffering from gunshot wounds. Cheri and Erin were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officers and EMS located Cheri’s adult daughter, Amanda Smith, also inside the residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS transported Amanda Smith to a local hospital for medical treatment, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The next of kin for Cheri Smith, Erin Poole, and Amanda Smith have been notified.

Officers and EMS found Nijyle Lewis outside at a neighbor’s residence, where he was suffering from multiple stab wounds. EMS then transported Lewis to a local hospital for medical treatment. He is currently in stable condition.

Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit have thoroughly reviewed witness statements, video surveillance footage, and the 9-1-1 calls, and are working closely with the Cumberland County District Attorney. As a result, Nijyle Lewis has been charged with three counts of First-Degree Murder. The Fayetteville Police Department will be working alongside the District Attorney's Office to serve the three First-Degree Murder warrants on Lewis, as he is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective B. Pleze at (910) 676-2596.

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.

Homicide Investigation

Officers and Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived on scene and located one adult male and two adult females suffering from gunshot wounds. Another adult male was located on the scene suffering from what appeared to be a stab wound.

One adult male and one adult female, both suffering from gunshot wounds, were pronounced deceased on scene. The second adult female, suffering from a gunshot wound, and the second adult male with possible stab wounds, were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their life-threatening injuries.

Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit have assumed the investigation.

This is an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty

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