Stephen Addison, a 32-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on January 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Addison, a former Fort Bragg soldier and father of four, was shot and killed during a road rage incident while riding his motorcycle at the intersection of Skibo and Cliffdale roads. The incident occurred when Addison and another motorist, Roger Nobles, got into a dispute. Nobles, a 51-year-old Caucasian male, fired the deadly shot from his truck, hitting Addison in the chest. Addison was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Following the incident, Roger Nobles was charged with first-degree murder. The case garnered significant attention due to the senseless nature of the crime and the impact on Addison's family and the community. Nobles' trial began in August 2023, and it took the Cumberland County jury only an hour to find him guilty of first-degree murder. Nobles was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The road rage incident that led to Addison's death was described as a senseless act of violence. Addison's wife, Justina Hemphill, and his ex-wife, Liz Orbles, mourned the loss of a loving and caring man who was well-known and loved in the Fayetteville community. The tragedy brought the two women closer together as they grieved the loss of Addison. Friends and family members remembered Addison as a kind soul who lit up every room he entered.
The case also raised questions about the role of hate crimes in the incident. Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West considered the possibility of hate crime charges against Nobles, given the racial dynamics of the case. However, the primary charge remained first-degree murder.
