Police in Fayetteville say a confrontation between two known acquaintances at a local Motel 6 ended in tragedy Wednesday evening, leaving 47-year-old Perry Sykes dead and a 24-year-old man in custody. What authorities describe as an “isolated incident” has left a city community in mourning — and many wondering how a routine stay turned fatal.
It began shortly before 6:10 p.m. on the 3700 block of Bragg Boulevard: officers were dispatched to the Motel 6 after reports of a possible shooting. When first responders arrived, they found Sykes suffering from a severe gunshot wound. Emergency crews rushed him to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where doctors worked frantically to save his life. Despite their efforts, Sykes succumbed to his injuries, a loss now weighing heavily on his family and neighbors.
Investigators with the Fayetteville Police Department say their early findings point to a personal dispute — not a random act of violence. According to the police, the altercation involved Sykes and a younger man, 24-year-old Chandon Cornelius Taylor, both of Fayetteville. The two reportedly knew each other prior to the incident. Witness statements and preliminary interviews suggest the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation; during that struggle, police say, Taylor produced a gun and shot Sykes.
As officers arrived, Taylor attempted to flee, but was located nearby and taken into custody without further incident. He has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sykes’ death. Taylor is currently being held without bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center. Authorities also warned that additional charges may be filed as they continue to sift through evidence.
Detectives are now working methodically — gathering witness statements, analyzing physical evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from the motel and surrounding area. Although the basic sequence of events is known, authorities say their priority is establishing a firm and accurate timeline of what happened in the moments before the shooting. For now, officials are treating the case as a targeted dispute rather than a threat to public safety.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard something near the Motel 6 around the time of the shooting — even if it seems insignificant — to come forward. They stress that sometimes the smallest piece of information can help complete the picture. As the investigation continues, authorities expressed gratitude for public cooperation and pledged to release further updates when available.
