A disturbance broke out Wednesday evening as a balloon release in memory of a gunshot victim was ending at Seabrook Park, sending one man to the hospital with a gunshot injury after he crashed his car into a swimming pool, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
The man was flown by helicopter to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where he was reported in stable condition, a news release said.
Investigators said that family and friends had gathered for a balloon release in memory of Lorenzo McLaughlin Jr., a 22-year-old man who was shot to death on July 29. As people were leaving, a disturbance broke out and multiple shots were fired, the news release said.
Video from Smith Recreation Center shows multiple men who were armed on the property. The rec center and Seabrook Park are both located off Murchison Road near the campus of Fayetteville State University.
The car found in the pool, a Kia Optima, speeded out of the parking lot toward State Avenue, the release said. A short time later, the vehicle is seen speeding toward Langdon Street. The vehicle swerves and crashes through a fence and into the pool.
The driver is seen getting out of the vehicle and climbing out of the pool. He staggers before lying on the roadway of Slater Avenue, where he was found by responding police officers, the release said.
Two suspect vehicles were located later that evening at Lake in the Pines apartment complex off Rosehill Road north of the park. The vehicles were seized and searched, the release said.
Investigators said the incident was not a random act.
Police Chief Kimberle Braden appealed for an end to a recent series of violent crimes.
“We are experiencing a cycle of violence that our community has the power to stop,” Braden said in the news release. “It will take the cooperation of our community to help solve this crime and prevent further acts of violence.”
July 29 shooting death
Lorenzo Darnell McLaughlin Jr., 22, was shot to death in late morning on July 29 at Stanberry Street and Primrose Drive near E.E. Smith High School, according to the Police Department.
Two brothers — Devonte Tyrell McClain, 20, and Adriane McClain, 18, both of Fayetteville —have been charged in McLaughlin’s death.
Investigators say McLaughlin and the McClain brothers communicated on social media and the brothers drove to McLaughlin’s location. They fired gunshots at McLaughlin while he was walking in the neighborhood about 11:45 a.m. July 29, police said.
McLaughlin sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Devonte and Adriane McClain are each charged with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy, according to a Police Department news release. They were held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under no bond.
Investigation continues
Detectives with the Police Department’s Aggravated Assault Unit are investigating the Seabrook Park incident and believe that multiple witnesses may have vital information.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. O’Hara at 910-303-4220 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-8477 or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.
Contact editor Bobby Parker at editor@cityviewnc.com.
