Two hurt in brawl outside Fayetteville store

Fayetteville police said the mayhem unfolded while Donnie Smith, 58, was looking at a used Camaro for sale at the Advance Auto Parts at 2400 Owen Drive.

Smith had left his son, a young woman and her 2-year-old child in his vehicle. When he returned, he saw two men threatening his passengers.

Police said the two men, twin brothers William and Christopher Strickland, then turned on Smith. 

William Strickland charged Smith, who pulled out a handgun and shot him in the leg.

The Stricklands then got back into their SUV and ran into Smith, knocking him onto the hood of the vehicle, then slamming him into a light pole. They jumped out and were beating on Smith when a passer-by saw the fracas, stopped and pulled out his own gun in an attempt to stop the fighting.

By then, police and sheriff's deputies swarmed the scene and stopped the fight.

Smith was hospitalized for his injuries and will not face charges for firing his weapon at William Strickland, police said. The investigation showed that William Strickland had a history of domestic violence against the woman in Smith's vehicle.

William Strickland was taken to UNC Hospitals for treatment of his gunshot wound and was listed in critical condition Friday night. When he is well enough, police plan to charge him with assault on a handicapped person, assault on a female, communication of threats, assault In the presence of a minor and damage to property. Before Friday's altercation, William Strickland was wanted on charges of assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, communication of threats and damage to property.

His brother, Christopher Strickland, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and assault inflicting serious bodily injury. He was being held Friday night at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $193,000 secured bond.