Police in Fayetteville are investigating a deadly incident that unfolded Wednesday evening at a local Motel 6, leaving one man dead and another in custody. The violence, which authorities describe as an isolated confrontation between two people who knew each other, has drawn community concern but does not pose any ongoing threat to the public, officials said. The investigation is now focused on determining what led to the tragic exchange.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Motel 6 on the 3700 block of Bragg Boulevard around 6:10 p.m. after receiving reports of a possible shooting. When responders arrived, they found 47-year-old Perry Sykes suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Emergency crews provided immediate aid at the scene before rushing him to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where medical staff worked urgently to save his life. Despite their efforts, Sykes later died from his injuries, a loss that has left his family and community grieving.
Detectives say their early findings show the incident began as an altercation between Sykes and 24-year-old Chandon Cornelius Taylor, also of Fayetteville. Investigators noted that the two men were acquainted before the confrontation escalated into a physical dispute. During that struggle, Taylor allegedly fired a gun, shooting Sykes. Police say that after the shooting, Taylor tried to flee the scene, but officers arriving in the area were able to locate and detain him nearby without further incident.
Taylor has since been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sykes’ death. Officials confirmed he was transported to the Cumberland County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond as the case moves forward. Authorities stated that additional charges could be considered as investigators continue reviewing evidence and conducting interviews. For now, police are treating the incident as a targeted dispute rather than a random act of violence.
The Fayetteville Police Department remains actively engaged in the investigation. Detectives are working to gather witness statements, analyze physical evidence, and review any available surveillance footage from the motel and surrounding area. Although the general sequence of events is known, investigators are focused on confirming a full and accurate timeline of the moments leading to the fatal encounter.
Police are encouraging anyone with information to come forward, noting that even seemingly small details can be vital. Witnesses or community members who observed unusual activity near the motel around the time of the incident are asked to contact Detective J. Phillips at (910) 322-7046. As authorities continue their work, they extend gratitude for the public’s cooperation and will release further updates as new information becomes available.
