Update to Homicide Investigation - 8000 block of Cliffdale Rd
Published on January 11, 2026
Roberto E. Bryan Jr.
Chief of Police
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sgt. A. Caldwell, Public Information Officer
Date: January 11, 2026 Phone: (910) 433-1487 OCA: 2026-000776
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) – Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit are investigating a stabbing which occurred along the 8000 block of Cliffdale Road on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 3:54 a.m., which resulted in a death.
The deceased has been identified as Chris`Shawn Ahmad Sewell (Black male, 23 years of age) of Fayetteville, N.C. His next of kin has been notified.
The preliminary investigation revealed Sewell was outside of the Circle K located at 8191 Cliffdale Road where the on-duty employee, Chaniece Natasha Starks (Black female, 32 years of age) of Raeford, N.C. made contact with him. An altercation between Starks and Sewell ensued which resulted in the stabbing death of Sewell. Starks and Sewell were familiar with one another from previous interactions at the business.
Chaniece Natasha Starks has been charged with First Degree Murder. Starks is currently being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center under no bond.
This is an active investigation. There is no other information to provide.
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.
Homicide Investigation
(Fayetteville, NC) – Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit are investigating a stabbing which occurred along the 8000 block of Cliffdale Road on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 3:54 a.m., which resulted in a death.
Officers and Emergency Medical Service personnel responded to 8191 Cliffdale Road reference a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located a black male in the parking lot suffering from a stab wound. Emergency Medical Service personnel transported the victim to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injury.
The identity of the decedent is currently being withheld pending next of kin notification.
This is an active 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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