On April 18, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Fayetteville, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 36-year-old Robert Lawrence Nowell V. The Fayetteville Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 200 block of Alphin Street around 8:40 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Nowell inside the home with a fatal gunshot wound.
Three other men also sustained gunshot injuries during the incident; two were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and were listed in stable condition, while the third suffered less severe injuries.
The investigation revealed that the shooting occurred during a home invasion and attempted robbery. All individuals involved were known to each other, suggesting that this was not a random act of violence. The following day, April 19, 2023, authorities arrested 40-year-old Donald Wayne McLucas Jr. in connection with the crime. He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted robbery, felony conspiracy to commit robbery, discharging a firearm inside an occupied dwelling to incite fear, and possession of a firearm by a felon. McLucas was held at the Cumberland County Jail without bond for the murder charge and under a $140,000 secured bond for the additional charges.
Further developments in the case led to the arrest of 39-year-old April Shanee McLucas, the sister of Donald McLucas Jr., on May 3, 2023. She faced charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a weapon into occupied property, and possession of a firearm by a felon. April McLucas was detained at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond.
The arrests of Donald and April McLucas underscore the swift action taken by law enforcement to address this violent crime. The investigation into the events leading up to and surrounding the home invasion and shooting continued as authorities sought to piece together the full narrative of that night's tragic events. Community members were encouraged to provide any additional information to assist in the ongoing investigation.
