Cordell Rashawn Spruill, a 40-year-old African American man, died on June 29, 2020, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His death occurred during an early morning break-in at his neighbor's apartment in the Skyland Apartments complex on Cain Road. According to reports, Spruill, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had recently moved into the apartment and was attempting to live independently.
However, he had stopped taking his medication, which led to a deterioration in his mental health.
On the morning of his death, Spruill threw a cinder block through his neighbor's patio door, initiating a physical altercation with his neighbor, Justin Hepburn. Hepburn, a 30-year-old resident of the same apartment complex, shot Spruill multiple times during the altercation. Spruill was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The incident led to Hepburn being charged with voluntary manslaughter. The police investigation revealed that there had been an ongoing dispute between Spruill and Hepburn. The police determined that Hepburn's actions were not in self-defense, as he had chased Spruill down the road and shot him after the initial altercation had ended.
Spruill's family and friends expressed their grief and frustration over his death, emphasizing that his mental health struggles played a significant role in the events leading up to the incident. They believed that Spruill did not deserve to die and that his mental health condition should have been taken into consideration.
