On July 5, 2023, at about 4:17 a.m., Fayetteville police found 20-year-old Jason Lamar Smith Jr. lying in the roadway in the 800 block of Hilton Drive with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men were shot in the same incident, one critically injured and another with non-life-threatening wounds. Investigators say the shooting does not appear random and may involve a connection between those present.

As of December 24, 2024, no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Fayetteville Police Department continues to investigate and is asking anyone with information to contact Detective D. Arnett at (910) 929-2565 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-8477.

Does anyone in the community have information about that early-morning incident on Hilton Drive?