27-Year-Old Janaha Smith Tragically Killed in Fayetteville Shooting; Suspect Shyheem McCall, 24, Arrested and Charged with First-Degree Murder in Connection to Targeted Attack
Fayetteville, NC – April 8, 2025 – A senseless tragedy has left the Fayetteville community in shock following the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Janaha Smith early on Tuesday morning, April 9, 2025. Fayetteville police responded to a call for help at approximately 3:17 a.m. in the 2800 block of Gillespie Street, where they found Smith with a gunshot wound. Despite the heroic efforts of emergency responders, Smith was sadly declared dead at the scene.
The primary suspect in this devastating incident, 24-year-old Shyheem McCall, was immediately taken into custody. McCall, a Fayetteville resident like Smith, faces charges of first-degree murder. He is currently being held without bond and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon in Cumberland County Court.
Authorities have confirmed that Smith and McCall were familiar with one another, and it is believed that the shooting was not a random act of violence. The Fayetteville Police Department has classified this as a targeted incident, though the precise motive remains under investigation.
Investigators are continuing to piece together the events that led to this deadly shooting. As the investigation unfolds, officials are urging anyone who may have information to come forward. Detective A. Wolford of the Fayetteville Police Department can be contacted directly at 910-705-2141, or anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477), online at fay-nccrimestoppers.org, or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
This case has left the community reeling, as local residents grapple with the tragic loss of a young life. The family, friends, and loved ones of Janaha Smith are mourning her untimely death, while many are looking for answers in the wake of this chilling act of violence.
Victim Profile: Janaha Smith
Janaha Smith, a 27-year-old woman, was a resident of Fayetteville and known to those who lived in the area as a kind, hardworking individual. While much of her life remains private, what is clear from the outpouring of grief from friends and family is the impact she had on the lives of those who knew her. Her loss has left a void in her community, and those who were closest to her are now left to process the senseless violence that led to her untimely passing.
In the aftermath of her death, her family has requested privacy as they grieve. They have expressed their sorrow publicly, stating that Janaha was more than just a victim of crime—she was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a beloved member of their community. Those who knew her describe her as someone with a vibrant personality, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer a kind word to those in need. The pain her loved ones are feeling is compounded by the tragic nature of her death, which seems to have been the result of a dispute that escalated to a fatal encounter.
Suspect Profile: Shyheem McCall
The man accused of taking Janaha Smith’s life, Shyheem McCall, is 24 years old and, like Smith, a Fayetteville resident. According to law enforcement, McCall and Smith were acquainted, which has led investigators to believe that the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted one.
McCall has been charged with first-degree murder, a serious charge that carries significant penalties if he is convicted. At the time of the shooting, McCall was located at the scene of the crime and was promptly taken into custody by responding officers. He has been held without bond, a measure that is not uncommon for individuals charged with serious offenses such as first-degree murder.
While law enforcement has not publicly disclosed many details regarding the nature of the relationship between McCall and Smith, it is clear that there was some sort of interaction or connection between the two that played a role in the events that transpired. Investigators are working to understand the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, including any possible motives that may have contributed to McCall’s actions.
The arrest of McCall brings a sense of relief to the Fayetteville community, who have been anxiously awaiting answers since news of the shooting first broke. However, many questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues. Was there a history of conflict between McCall and Smith? Was this a premeditated act, or did emotions escalate quickly? Law enforcement officials are hopeful that further investigation and evidence will shed light on these questions, providing the community with the clarity it desperately seeks.
Timeline of the Incident
The tragic shooting unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, April 9, 2025, just after 3:00 a.m. Officers from the Fayetteville Police Department received a call reporting the sound of gunfire in the 2800 block of Gillespie Street. This area, which is typically a quiet part of Fayetteville, was immediately swarmed by law enforcement officers and emergency medical responders.
When they arrived at the scene, officers found Janaha Smith suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite their best efforts to save her, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The quick response of the police and emergency medical teams did little to change the outcome, as the fatal injury was too severe for Smith to survive.
Within minutes, law enforcement had located the suspect, 24-year-old Shyheem McCall, at the scene of the crime. McCall was arrested without incident and transported to the Fayetteville Police Department for questioning. He was later charged with first-degree murder in connection to the shooting.
The Investigation
The Fayetteville Police Department is continuing its investigation into the shooting. While it has been confirmed that McCall and Smith were familiar with each other, the exact details surrounding their relationship are still unclear. Investigators are working to determine what led to the altercation that ended with Smith’s tragic death.
Given the early stages of the investigation, officials are asking for the public’s help. They are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the events leading up to the shooting, or anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the incident, to come forward. The authorities are especially interested in any details that could provide clarity about McCall and Smith’s interactions before the shooting occurred.
For those who wish to remain anonymous, the Fayetteville Crime Stoppers service allows individuals to submit tips without revealing their identity. Tips can be submitted via phone at 910-483-TIPS (8477), online through the Crime Stoppers website, or using the P3 Tips mobile app. Investigators are hopeful that these public tips will provide additional leads that could help piece together the sequence of events leading to the fatal shooting.
Community Response
The news of Janaha Smith’s death has sent shockwaves through the Fayetteville community. Local residents are grieving the loss of a young woman whose life was taken far too soon. In the wake of the shooting, many are coming together to express their support for Smith’s family and to show solidarity with those affected by this senseless violence.
Community leaders, local churches, and organizations have called for peace and unity during this difficult time. While the investigation continues, there is a shared desire within the community to ensure that justice is served, and that the family of Janaha Smith is given the answers they need to heal from this tragic loss.
Fayetteville police have expressed their gratitude for the community’s cooperation and support as they continue to work through the case. They have urged everyone to remain patient as the investigation unfolds, while also emphasizing the importance of coming forward with any information that could assist law enforcement in bringing closure to this heartbreaking situation.
The Search for Answers
As the investigation progresses, residents and law enforcement alike are asking the most pressing question: Why did this happen? What led to the fatal confrontation between Janaha Smith and Shyheem McCall? The answers to these questions may lie in the details that have yet to be uncovered, and investigators are working diligently to gather information that could provide clarity.
While the search for answers continues, the people of Fayetteville are left to reflect on the tragic loss of one of their own. Janaha Smith’s death serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that violence can have on individuals, families, and entire communities. It is a reminder that violence is never the answer, and that there are always other ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to harm.
As authorities continue their investigation and await McCall’s day in court, the Fayetteville community is united in grief, support, and the hope that justice will ultimately be served for Janaha Smith.
Conclusion
The tragic death of 27-year-old Janaha Smith in Fayetteville on April 9, 2025, has shocked the community and left an indelible mark on those who knew her. As police continue to investigate the events leading to her death, the arrest of Shyheem McCall offers a sense of progress. However, the pain felt by Smith’s family, friends, and loved ones remains as they navigate the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
With the investigation ongoing, law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. The Fayetteville Police Department remains committed to finding the truth and ensuring that justice is served in this devastating case.
