Held at gunpoint: String of violent carjackings, shootings in Fayetteville could be connected

There have been several carjackings and shootings during the past three weeks, and police say they're connected.

Fayetteville Police have used forensics to connect the bullets and other evidence to similar crimes in the area. They've made two arrests and recovered one vehicle. Now, police are asking for help solving the other crimes.

Fayetteville police held a press conference on Wednesday to warn residents about the concerning trend.

A pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint while trying to make a delivery on Tuesday night.

Jewel James, heard the gunshots being fired at the delivery driver, said, "I guess as he pulled up, a couple of people walked up from down the street, and one took a shot at him."

The bullet missed, leaving the pizza man uninjured.

But that wasn't the case for the victim of a carjacking in an apartment complex on Regency Drive. The 23-year-old victim was shot October 29, even though he complied and gave the suspects the keys to his Hyundai Sonata.

On October 27, just a couple of days earlier, a 25-year-old victim was shot in the leg outside her apartment on Dornock Drive.

Before that, a 16-year-old was carjacked October 20 outside his home on Evanston Street.

"We've noticed a trend here where we've had folks robbed and shot. We've had four people injured as a result of gunshot wounds," said Maj Robert Spatorico of Fayetteville Police.

Police are searching for two stolen vehicles related to these incidents, and they are asking for the public's help in locating the vehicles or reporting other suspicious activities.

One stolen car is a gray 2020 Toyota Corolla with a Pennsylvania registration, and plates reading JGZ7911.

Another stolen vehicle is a 2020 white Nissan Versa with an NC registration and plates reading 8DT7629.

“We want the community to stay vigilant," said Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins.

Police suggested locals should park in well-lit areas, especially where surveillance cameras could catch the scene around them.

Hawkins asked that anyone who has any information related to these violent crimes contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1529 or call anonymously at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).