On October 11, 2024, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Fayetteville Police Department officers responded to a shooting incident at the Big Apple Restaurant and Sports Pub, located at 5900 Yadkin Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 34-year-old Garrett Jamal Stroman with a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, Stroman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the incident began as a verbal altercation between Stroman and another individual, escalating when the assailant displayed a handgun and shot Stroman. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Nicholas Galberth, was known to Stroman prior to the incident. Detectives from the Fayetteville Police Department's Homicide Unit, in coordination with the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), swiftly apprehended Galberth. He was charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond.
Stroman, a father of three, was remembered by his girlfriend, Mary Reed, as a beloved individual who was well-regarded by many. His untimely death has left his family and friends in deep mourning.
The Fayetteville Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. They have urged anyone with additional information to contact Detective J. Nevitt at 910-703-3499 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be submitted electronically through the Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers website.
This tragic event has prompted discussions within the community about the prevalence of gun violence and the importance of conflict resolution. Local organizations are advocating for increased awareness and preventive measures to address such incidents and support affected families.
Funeral services for Garrett Jamal Stroman were held in Aiken, South Carolina, where family and friends gathered to honor his memory and celebrate his life.
