Local News

Search for soldier's killer leads to Lee County

Police announced an increased reward in the investigation into the shooting death of a Fort Bragg soldier outside Sharky's Cabaret.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Police announced an increased reward in the investigation into the shooting death of a Fort Bragg soldier April 12.

Sgt. Sergio Sanchez, 22, was just back from a tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed outside Sharky's Cabaret.

On Friday, the Fort Bragg Criminal Investigative Division announced a $7,500 reward for information in the case. According to authorities, the search for the killers has led them to believe that information may come from someone in Lee County.

Witnesses said Sanchez was outside the club, talking on his cell phone, when he came upon four or five men robbing three other soldiers in a parking lot off Blue Street.

Investigators do not believe that Sanchez did anything to provoke the robbers. Witnesses told policed that a gunman approached Sanchez and shot him in the neck at close range.

Police said they have only vague descriptions of the robbers, but are following up on leads from the public. They executed a search warrant with the help of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Friday and believe someone in that area may hold the key to the crime.

Investigators said the shooter used a chrome shotgun – an unusual weapon. 

Sanchez, a member of the 82nd Airborne, had returned home from a 15-month deployment to Baghdad 29 days before the shooting. The Yuma, Ariz., native and Anniston, Ala., resident served as a computer-repair technician.

Anyone with information about this case may contact the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477. Individuals may remain anonymous.

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