“58-Year-Old Michael Whitfield Passes After Shooting at Fayetteville Apartment Complex”
Fayetteville, North Carolina — The Crossings at Morganton, Waterdown Drive.
A peaceful Sunday evening turned into tragedy when Michael Whitfield, a 58-year-old Fayetteville resident, was shot at The Crossings at Morganton, an apartment complex off Waterdown Drive on the city’s west side. Fayetteville Police confirmed the incident occurred shortly after 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, when multiple 911 calls reported gunfire near the 200 block of the complex.
When officers arrived on scene, they found Michael Whitfield suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel quickly began treatment and transported him to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, Whitfield later passed due to the severity of his injuries. Police have since launched a homicide investigation and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting has shaken the residents of The Crossings at Morganton, a typically quiet residential community just minutes from the Skibo Road retail area. Witnesses reported hearing several shots before seeing first responders flood the scene. “It all happened so fast,” said one resident who lives near the parking area where the shooting occurred. “We heard the sirens, and then they started blocking off the street. It’s terrifying to know something like this can happen right outside your home.”
Authorities have not yet released details about potential suspects or a motive, though detectives spent hours canvassing the area, speaking with residents, and reviewing surveillance footage from the apartment complex. Evidence markers were visible across a section of the parking lot late into the evening as crime scene investigators documented the area.
According to Lieutenant K. Taflinger of the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit, the case remains open and active. “We are following multiple leads and working diligently to determine the circumstances that led to this act of violence,” he stated. “We urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything — no matter how minor it may seem — to contact us.”
Michael Whitfield was known by friends and neighbors as a friendly, down-to-earth man who often greeted people with a smile. Those close to him described him as hardworking, kind, and always willing to lend a hand. “He was one of those people who made you feel safe,” said a neighbor. “If you needed help carrying groceries or fixing something small, he was right there.”
Whitfield’s passing has left his family heartbroken. In a statement released Monday, relatives expressed their grief and gratitude to those offering support: “Michael was loved deeply by his family and friends. We are devastated by his loss and ask for privacy as we try to process this unimaginable tragedy.”
Detectives are currently investigating whether the shooting may have stemmed from a dispute or if Whitfield was an unintended target. No arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning, and police have not confirmed whether they are searching for one or more suspects.
The Fayetteville Police Department has asked residents of The Crossings at Morganton and surrounding neighborhoods to review any home security footage that might show vehicles or individuals in the area around the time of the shooting. They’ve also encouraged anyone with information to contact Detective T. Kiger at (910) 705-6527 or Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the P3 Tips App.
This marks one of several violent incidents investigated by Fayetteville Police in recent weeks, as the department continues efforts to address gun violence within the community. City leaders, including Mayor Mitch Colvin, have reiterated the need for community cooperation and neighborhood watch initiatives. “We can only prevent tragedies like this when the community and law enforcement stand together,” the mayor stated in a press release.
Residents gathered on Monday evening to light candles and place flowers near the parking lot where Whitfield was found. Friends described the vigil as quiet and emotional — a reflection of the sadness that now lingers in the community. “It’s not just about one man’s passing,” said a participant. “It’s about all of us realizing how fragile life can be.”
As investigators continue their work, Michael Whitfield’s loved ones are left searching for answers — and justice. A man remembered for his kindness and calm demeanor has now become the face of yet another senseless act of violence in Fayetteville.
Police have promised to release updates as more information becomes available. Until then, The Crossings at Morganton stands as both a home and a reminder of loss — a community shaken but determined to come together in remembrance of Michael Whitfield, whose life touched many and whose memory endures.
May Michael Whitfield rest in peace.
