Cheri Smith, 50, her son Erin Poole, 29, and her daughter Amanda Smith, 23, were all shot and killed inside their home on the 5200 block of North Sumac Circle in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on the night of January 25, 2026. The triple homicide has left the community reeling, as police continue to investigate the violent and deeply personal nature of the crime.
Fayetteville Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire at approximately 9:35 p.m. Sunday evening. Upon arrival, officers discovered Cheri Smith and Erin Poole deceased at the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. Amanda Smith was found critically injured and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The incident occurred inside the family’s residence, a quiet home in a residential neighborhood near Hope Mills Road.
Investigators quickly identified the suspect as 25-year-old Nijyle Lewis of Fayetteville, who was known to the victims. According to police, an altercation broke out between Cheri Smith and Lewis, during which multiple gunshots were fired and a stabbing also occurred. The nature of the dispute has not been fully disclosed, but authorities confirmed that it was not a random act of violence.
Lewis was also injured during the incident and was hospitalized under police custody. He has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. The Fayetteville Police Department emphasized that the investigation remains active, with detectives working to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation.
The deaths of Cheri, Erin, and Amanda have sent shockwaves through the Fayetteville community. Friends and neighbors described the family as close-knit and well-liked. Vigils and memorials have begun to appear near their home, with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes expressing sorrow and support for the grieving relatives.
As the legal process unfolds, the community continues to mourn the loss of three lives taken in a moment of senseless violence. The tragedy has reignited conversations about domestic violence and the importance of early intervention in volatile situations. For now, Fayetteville stands united in grief, remembering Cheri, Erin, and Amanda not for how they died, but for the love and light they brought to those around them.