A quiet Sunday evening in Fayetteville, North Carolina, turned tragic on January 25, 2026, ending in the deaths of three family members, including 23-year-old Amanda Smith. Amanda, a White female, was inside her home in the 5200 block of N. Sumac Circle with her mother, Cheri Smith, 50, and her brother, Erin Poole, 29, when an altercation erupted. The dispute involved Cheri Smith and a known associate, 25-year-old Nijyle Lewis, also of Fayetteville.
The confrontation escalated violently,
resulting in multiple gunshots and a stabbing. When Fayetteville Police Department officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 9:35 p.m., they discovered a horrific scene. Cheri Smith and Erin Poole were found inside the residence, both deceased from gunshot wounds. Amanda Smith was also found inside, suffering from critical gunshot injuries. Emergency medical services transported her to a local hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Following the incident, Nijyle Lewis, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, fled to a nearby home seeking help. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. After a thorough investigation that included reviewing witness statements and surveillance footage, detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department's Homicide Unit charged Nijyle Lewis with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Amanda Smith, Cheri Smith, and Erin Poole. Authorities have stated that the incident was isolated, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. The Fayetteville Police Department is working with the District Attorney's Office to serve the murder warrants on Lewis as he receives medical treatment.
