Shooting Victim Identified in Barton’s Landing Homicide on Fayetteville’s West Side
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Police Department has identified the victim in a deadly shooting that took place Sunday morning at an apartment complex on the city’s west side. The victim has been named as Donte Maurice Vanclief, 36, a resident of Fayetteville.
The shooting occurred just after 9:00 a.m. on May 4 at the 600 block of Barton’s Landing Place, a residential complex that was shaken by the sound of gunfire in the early hours. According to eyewitnesses, a man was seen yelling and brandishing a weapon, moments before shots rang out across the quiet apartment community.
Responding officers arrived quickly and located Vanclief suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts by emergency medical personnel, he was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.
The crime scene was swiftly secured as detectives and forensic units began processing evidence and interviewing witnesses. Within hours of the shooting, two individuals were taken into custody for questioning. One of the individuals detained has reportedly claimed that the incident stemmed from a setup, alleging that he fired in self-defense, ultimately striking Vanclief fatally. The second person allegedly fled the scene, but their connection to the incident remains under active investigation.
At this time, police have not released the names of the individuals in custody, nor have they confirmed whether any charges have been officially filed. Investigators have also not publicly shared details about the circumstances leading up to the confrontation, the relationships between those involved, or the events that preceded the gunfire.
Neighbors at Barton’s Landing expressed shock over the violence, many noting that although the complex has seen disturbances in the past, broad-daylight gunfire was deeply unsettling. Some residents have begun calling for increased security and police presence in the area.
“We were getting ready for church, and then we heard the shots,” said one resident. “It’s terrifying to think something like that could happen just outside your front door.”
The Fayetteville Police Department has stressed that the investigation is active and ongoing, and they are pursuing all leads. Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses, gather surveillance footage, and piece together a timeline of events.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) or submitting information through the Fayetteville Police Department’s online portal.
As the community processes the tragic loss of Donte Maurice Vanclief, family and friends are remembering him on social media as a father, friend, and neighbor whose life was taken far too soon.