FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A quiet Sunday morning at Barton’s Landing Place Apartments was shattered by gun violence when a fatal shooting erupted in the complex’s parking lot near Cliffdale Road and Bunce Road, leaving one man dead and triggering an intense investigation by the Fayetteville Police Department. According to official reports, the incident unfolded around 9:00 a.m. on May 5, 2024, when officers responding to calls of gunfire discovered a mortally wounded victim who succumbed to his injuries despite life-saving efforts. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene involving an armed individual—reportedly carrying an AR-style rifle—who claimed self-defense, alleging that unknown assailants had ambushed him before he returned fire. The shooter, who lay down in the parking lot awaiting police, and another detained individual are now at the center of a probe that raises critical questions about gun violence, self-defense laws, and security in Fayetteville’s residential communities.

### **The Shooting: A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown**

The sequence of events, as pieced together from 911 calls and witness statements, paints a harrowing picture of the morning’s violence:

– **9:02 a.m.**: Multiple residents report hearing rapid gunfire in the parking lot, with some describing the distinct sound of an AR-style rifle interspersed with handgun shots.
– **9:07 a.m.**: A male witness observes the shooter—described as a Black male in his mid-20s wearing dark clothing—walking erratically through the lot, shouting unintelligibly before lying prone on the pavement with his weapon visible.
– **9:11 a.m.**: First responders arrive to find the deceased victim, a Hispanic male in his 30s, near a parked sedan with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. The shooter and another individual are detained without resistance.

Crime scene analysts later recovered:
– **23 shell casings** from at least two firearms (5.56mm and 9mm)
– **A discarded blue shirt** matching the shooter’s description of a fleeing suspect
– **Surveillance footage** from a nearby unit showing the victim collapsing near a dumpster

### **The Shooter’s Claims: Self-Defense or Homicide?**

The detained shooter’s account presents a complex narrative for investigators:

1. **Ambush Allegation**: He insists unidentified individuals fired first from a concealed position near Building 12, prompting his armed response.
2. **Fleeing Suspect**: He reported seeing a male in a blue shirt running toward Bunce Road post-shooting.
3. **No Prior Connection**: Claims no knowledge of the deceased victim.

However, inconsistencies have emerged:
– No secondary shooters were located despite K-9 searches of adjacent woods.
– The victim was unarmed, with only a cell phone and wallet found on his person.
– Ballistics preliminarily suggest the fatal shots came from the AR-style rifle.

### **Barton’s Landing: A Complex with a Violent History**

This incident continues a troubling pattern at the 224-unit complex:

– **2023**: 11 reported assaults and 3 shootings
– **2022**: A double homicide in the same parking lot
– **Security Measures**: Despite resident petitions, management has rejected proposals for gated access or overnight patrols.

A review of 911 calls reveals **47 disturbance reports** in 2024 alone, with neighbors citing frequent loitering and suspected drug activity near the dumpster area where Sunday’s victim was found.

### **Legal Implications: North Carolina’s Stand Your Ground Law**

The case may test NCGS § 14-51.3, which permits deadly force if the shooter:
– Reasonably believed it was necessary to prevent imminent death
– Was not engaged in unlawful activity themselves

Key considerations for prosecutors:
– Whether the shooter’s possession of the rifle was legal (no permit required for long guns in NC)
– If his decision to remain at the scene affects self-defense claims
– Why no other witnesses corroborate the alleged ambush

### **Community Reaction and Police Response**

Fayetteville PD’s Homicide Unit, led by Detective C. Johnson, faces mounting pressure:

– **Resident Outcry**: Over 100 attended an emergency tenant meeting demanding increased policing.
– **Investigative Hurdles**: The absence of surviving witnesses complicates reconstruction efforts.
– **Forensic Timeline**: Cell tower data places both the shooter and victim in the lot for 18 minutes prior to gunfire—a period detectives are scrutinizing.

### **How You Can Help**

Authorities urge anyone with information to:
– Review personal doorbell/dash cam footage from 8:30–9:30 a.m.
– Come forward if they interacted with either individual recently
– Contact **Detective Johnson at (910) 584-6703** or anonymously via **Crime Stoppers ((910) 483-TIPS)**

As forensic analysis continues, this case underscores the deadly intersection of readily available firearms, contested self-defense claims, and the urgent need for proactive community safety measures.

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*Updates will be posted at* [Fayetteville PD’s website](http://www.faypdnc.gov). *A $5,000 reward is offered for conclusive tips.*