On October 21, 2023, at about 9:27 p.m. a shooting in the 1500 block of Slater Avenue near the Smith Recreation Center and Fayetteville State University left four people wounded. Four victims were taken to a local hospital; 31-year-old Emmanuel Lashon Smith died of his injuries at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Investigators say a crowd had gathered in the recreation center parking lot when ShotSpotter recorded 21 gunshots. Officers recovered 17 nine-millimeter shell casings at the scene. Fayetteville police arrested 21-year-old Rav'von Jimani Sparks on October 23, 2023, charging him with first-degree murder in Smith’s death, felony conspiracy, three counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Detectives executed a search warrant at Sparks’ residence and recovered two handguns.

Three other shooting victims were hospitalized; two were treated and released and a female victim remained hospitalized as of the latest reports. The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information, contact Detective T. Kiger at (910) 705-6527 or submit an anonymous tip through Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers.