Malakai Elijah Woods, 20, was shot and killed at a residence in the 4600 block of Gardenwood Court in Fayetteville on December 23, 2024, at about 9:51 p.m. Emergency personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators say the shooting was not random and that Woods and the suspect were acquainted before the incident. Authorities have identified a suspect but no arrest has been made and the Fayetteville Police Department says there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation is active while detectives work to determine motive and the full circumstances of the shooting. If anyone has information, contact Detective J. Bergamine at 910-705-2093 or submit an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

Did anyone in the Fayetteville area know Malakai or see anything that night?