17-year-old charged with murder in shooting near Fayetteville courthouse
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Fayetteville police have charged 17-year-old Phillip Haynes with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 25-year-old Paul Chappell near the Cumberland County Courthouse Wednesday.
Haynes' girlfriend, 20-year-old Jamie Thornton, was charged with accessory after the fact.
Around 4:30 p.m., police said Haynes and Thornton were in Chappell's vehicle when an argument broke out. Chappell stopped near Person Street and the Cool Spring Street corridor. Haynes got out, pulled out a pistol, and fired shots into the vehicle. Chappell was struck by the gunfire and drove a short distance before crashing into another vehicle in the parking lot of 235 Person Street.
Police said the shooting had nothing to do with the courthouse except for the proximity, but it happened as many courthouse and office workers were just starting to leave for the day. Many found they could not get to their vehicles parked behind crime scene tape.
Haynes is being held in the Cumberland County Jail without bond. Thornton is jailed under a $50,000 secured bond.
