Police: Trio of Fayetteville shootings appears random

"It appears random," said Lt. James Nolette of the spree that took place over 30 minutes at locations along Bragg Boulevard.

"We don't know if it's just random to us but linked together in his mind," Nolette said. "We don't know."

Police described the three victims as innocent bystanders.

The first shooting happened just before 3:20 a.m. in a parking lot of 4943 Bragg Boulevard. Police said a dark-colored SUV drove into the parking lot and hit the curb. Patrons in the parking lot began to exchange words with the driver of the SUV when someone inside the vehicle opened fire, police said. One person was shot in the leg and a second was grazed by a bullet.

The second shooting happened about 10 minutes later near B and Link streets. 

At that location, police said a man in a dark-colored SUV shot at a taxicab. The people inside the taxi were not injured.

The third shooting occurred just after 4 a.m. in the 800 block of Orange Street. A woman was shot in the leg while standing in the front yard of her home. Again, wtinesses described a dark SUV and a passenger firing from inside.

Police recovered the SUV on  Saturday and detained the driver and a passenger.

They issued an arrest warrant for Luther Gatling, 23, of 208 Teague Street, whom they said is wanted in connection with the shootings.

Gatling is charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and is also wanted on a probation violation.

Investigators believe Gatling was the shooter inside the SUV. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police urged Gatling to surrender. 

Anyone with information about the shootings is urged to call the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-916-2764 or Crime Stoppers at 910-438-8477.