FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Fayetteville police have made an arrest after a man was shot and killed at a sports bar on Yadkin Road early Friday morning.
Investigators said they found a man dead in the bar’s parking lot. Friday night, FPD identified him as 34-year-old Garrett Stroman.
Homicide detectives and members of FPD’s Violent Crimes Enforcement Team arrested Nicholas Galbers, 32, in connection with the shooting.
Galbers was charged with first-degree murder and was being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center without bail.
Fayetteville Police say what started as an argument between acquaintances ended in a shootout.
The sound of gunfire woke Mary Bowman, 81, from her sleep. She lives in the community next to the Big Apple restaurant The sports bar where the shooting occurred.
“I heard pow, pow, pow, pow,” Bowman yelled. “It was just before 2 a.m., sweetheart. It was 1:15 when I woke up to the shooting.”
Bowman, a military widow, told ABC11 the community has changed a lot in the 34 years she has lived there. She said this is not the first time an incident has occurred in the Big Apple.
“Was there a shooting there? Yes. Was there a fight? Yes. Were the police hit there? Yes,” she said.
Jose Diaz’s wife runs the Latinxs Infuzion Gift Shop right next door. He is a military veteran and says this is a popular spot for veterans.
A lot of things happen when people start drinking.
Jose Diaz, Latinxs Infuzion Gift Shop Owner
“Sometimes fights happen there, but when people start drinking, something happens,” Diaz said. “It’s a really sad situation. I know the owner in the Big Apple and he’s a good guy. Things like this happen.”
Fayetteville police said the incident started with an argument and escalated when Galbers allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Stroman. Police say the two were “acquainted.”
Bowman and other residents said they want to see a solution soon.
“We’re closing for good. We’re just going to open a restaurant in the Big Apple somewhere in the country so we don’t disturb the neighbors because of the noise,” Bowman said.
ABC11 tracks crime and safety throughout Fayetteville and nearby neighborhoods
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