Family of slain soldier pleads for help in finding killer

On Oct. 7, Special Forces soldier Sean Wells was shot and killed in his home. On Monday Wells' wife, mother and sister pleaded with the public to help.

"He loved life, and he loved very, very much his son," said mother Maria Wells. "We’re asking everybody, please help us."

Four months after the 35-year-old soldier was killed, police still have no physical description of the suspects and have made no arrests in the case. 

"This was a deliberate, brutal and horrifying act that happened to our loved one in our family,” said sister Cindy Vanhoose. 

Two armed and masked men entered Wells' home through an unlocked door shortly before 9 p.m., got into an argument with him and then shot him, according to investigators.

Wells' wife and 4-year-old son were in the house when the shots were fired, but they were not hurt. They were able to escape and call 911 from a neighbor's house. 

Although a motive has yet to be determined, Assistant Police Chief Charles Kimble said Monday that investigators believe the killers had some familiarity with the house.

Kimble said investigators are still ruling out whether Wells was targeted.

"We’re looking at all theories, and that’s what these guys are gonna do," he said. "These guys take different theories and run them until we can prove it or disprove it.” 

Meanwhile, Rocio Wells said the months since her husband's death have been painful, especially for her son.

"It has been really hard since he's four, so he hasn't realized whats going on," she said. "He's still asking for his dad. That's the hardest thing."

Anyone with information can call the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477. Crime Stoppers tips can also be submitted online.