Fayetteville Police Investigating Homicide After Pedestrian Fatally Struck on Bragg Boulevard
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — What initially appeared to be a tragic pedestrian accident on a busy Fayetteville roadway has now been ruled a homicide, after investigators discovered the victim had sustained stab wounds prior to entering traffic.
The Incident
On Monday, September 8, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers with the Fayetteville Police Department were dispatched to reports of a pedestrian struck on Bragg Boulevard near the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway.
Upon arrival, officers found a male victim who had been hit by a passing motorist. Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived and rendered aid at the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased was identified as Raymond Mathews, 60, of Fayetteville.
Discovery of Stab Wounds
As investigators worked the case, they uncovered evidence suggesting the circumstances were far more complex than a simple traffic fatality. Detectives noted that Mathews had sustained possible stab wounds before entering the roadway.
This revelation shifted the case from a traffic investigation to a homicide investigation, with detectives from the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit taking over.
Arrest Made
Within hours of their investigation, detectives identified and arrested 36-year-old Joshua Montez Emerson in connection with Mathews’ death.
Authorities confirmed that Mathews and Emerson were known to one another, though the exact nature of their relationship has not yet been publicly disclosed. Emerson is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond.
Community Response
The incident, unfolding in the middle of the day on one of Fayetteville’s busiest corridors, drew the attention of drivers and passersby who witnessed the heavy law enforcement and EMS response. For many, the news that the victim had been stabbed prior to entering the roadway added another layer of shock to an already tragic event.
Local residents have expressed grief over the violent circumstances, with community leaders urging residents to remain vigilant and to reach out to authorities if they have information that could assist the investigation.
Call for Information
The Fayetteville Police Department is asking anyone with additional information to come forward. Detectives emphasized that even small details could be critical to building a clearer picture of what led to the deadly altercation.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
Moving Forward
As Emerson awaits his first court appearance, police continue to piece together the timeline of events leading up to Mathews’ death. Investigators have not yet commented on a potential motive but have confirmed there is no broader threat to the public.
For Fayetteville, the case underscores the unpredictable nature of violent crime and the swift response required from both patrol officers and homicide investigators to bring clarity — and justice — to the victim and his family.
