On a quiet Sunday night in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the lives of a mother and her two adult children. The incident unfolded on January 25, 2026, at a residence in the 5200 block of North Sumac Circle, where 50-year-old Cheri Smith, a white female, was involved in an altercation with a known associate, 25-year-old Nijyle Lewis.
The confrontation turned violent, resulting in a triple shooting 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 inside the home. Cheri Smith and her 29-year-old son, Erin Poole, were found deceased from gunshot wounds. Her 23-year-old daughter, Amanda Smith, was also found with life-threatening gunshot injuries and was rushed to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Neighbors described the family as close-knit and loving, with one neighbor recounting how Cheri adored her children and was very proud of them.
The suspect in the killings, Nijyle Lewis, a Black male, was located at a neighbor's residence suffering from multiple stab wounds. He had reportedly fled the scene on foot to seek help after the altercation. Lewis was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Following an investigation that included reviewing witness statements, video surveillance, and 911 calls, detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department's Homicide Unit charged Nijyle Lewis with three counts of first-degree murder. Authorities indicated that the warrants would be served upon his release from medical care. The incident was described by police as a domestic situation that tragically escalated, and they assured the public that there was no ongoing threat to the community.
