Arrest made after three family members fatally shot

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Summary: Erin Poole, 29, was fatally shot during a violent attack in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on January 25, 2026. His mother, Cheri Smith, 50, and sister, Amanda Smith, 23, also died from gunshot wounds in the incident at their home. Suspect Nijyle Lewis, 25, who was known to the family, sustained stab injuries, faces three first-degree murder charges.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (DailyKenn.com)— A domestic altercation turned deadly late Sunday evening, leaving a mother and her two adult children dead from gunshot wounds and a known associate of the family hospitalized with stab injuries, authorities reported.

Police identified the victims as Cheri Smith, 50, her son Erin Poole, 29, and her daughter Amanda Smith, 23, all residents of a home in the 5200 block of North Sumac Circle. The suspect, Nijyle Lewis, 25, who had a prior connection to Cheri Smith, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the killings.

According to investigators, the sequence of events began around 9:35 p.m. on Jan. 25 when an argument erupted between Cheri Smith and Lewis inside the family home. The dispute quickly escalated, with multiple gunshots ringing out. Officers arriving on the scene discovered Cheri Smith and Erin Poole deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Amanda Smith, also suffering from severe gunshot injuries, was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her wounds shortly after.

Lewis, who sustained multiple stab wounds during the confrontation, fled the residence and sought help at a neighboring house, where he called 911 to report the incident. Responding officers found him there and transported him to a local medical facility for treatment of life-threatening injuries. By the following day, his condition had stabilized, and authorities announced the murder charges against him. Police described the episode as an isolated domestic matter with no broader threat to the public, and they continue to examine surveillance footage, 911 recordings, and other evidence to piece together the full circumstances.

Neighbors recounted hearing a rapid series of pops that they initially mistook for weather-related noises or fireworks. One resident, who lives nearby, described the sounds as "pop, pop, pop, pop" and noted seeing a flurry of emergency vehicles arrive soon after, including ambulances carrying away bodies. Another neighbor expressed alarm at how close the gunfire seemed, calling the experience deeply unsettling in what is typically a quiet area.

Community members expressed profound shock over the loss, portraying the Smith family as reserved yet tightly bonded. Residents said Cheri Smith was known for her devotion to her children, often speaking proudly of their accomplishments, and the household generally avoided drawing attention. "They were a loving group who kept things private," one neighbor told local media, adding that the tragedy has left the street reeling and prompted discussions about safety in domestic settings.

Authorities have not released further details on the motive or the exact nature of Lewis's relationship with the family, but they emphasized that the investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Fayetteville police.

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