Bystander killed during robbery outside Fayetteville nightclub

Derrick Maurice Morrisey, 37, was walking a woman to her car in the crowded parking lot of Chief’s 25 Plus as the club at 612 W. Rowan St. was closing for the night when he happened upon a robbery. The robbers and victims exchanged gunfire, and Morrisey was shot in the chest and killed, police said.

"We believe that Mr. Morrisey is truly an innocent victim of the crime," Assistant Police Chief Charles Kimble said. "It's a shame because he was trying to do the right thing."

Morrisey, who had a lengthy criminal record, was trying to get his life together and get a barber's license, according to his grandmother, with whom he lived.

"After he got out this last time (in 2011), he said, 'Grandma, I ain't gonna get in no more trouble.' I said, 'Well, please don't," Muriel Maynor said.

He is survived by a 9-year-old daughter.

Investigators have no suspects in the robbery or shooting, but they said they were looking for a black SUV and and black-and-silver Hyundai, both of which left the area immediately after the shooting and were seen heading north on Bragg Boulevard.

Chief's 25 Plus isn't known as a haven for crime, Kimble said. The private club's owner has no tolerance for trouble or slobs, requiring patrons to tuck their shirts, prohibiting saggy pants and barring anyone younger than 25 from entering.

"We know that this club has been around for a while. It has a good reputation," Kimble said.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the identity of the gunman is asked to call detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477.