Suspect charged after man shot, killed at Fayetteville's Big Apple Restaurants and Sports Pub

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Police in Fayetteville have made an arrest after a man was shot and killed early Friday morning at a sports bar on Yadkin Road.

Investigators said they found the man dead in the parking lot of the bar. On Friday evening, FPD identified him as 34-year-old Garrett Stroman.

Homicide Unit detectives and members of FPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team arrested Nicholas Galberth, 32, in connection with the shooting.

Galberth was charged with first-degree murder and was being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center with no bond.

Fayetteville police said what started as an argument between acquaintances ended in deadly gunfire.

The gunshots woke Mary Bowman, 81, up from her sleep. She lives in the community next door to the Big Apple Restaurant & Sports Bar where the shooting happened.

"I heard the pow, pow, pow, pow," exclaimed Bowman. "That was before 2 a.m., sweetheart. The shooting woke me up at 1:15."

Bowman, who is a military widow, told ABC11 that the community has changed significantly in the 34 years she's lived there. She said it's not the first time an incident has happened at the Big Apple.

"Have there been shootings over there? Yes. Have there been fights? Yes. Have police gotten beat up there? Yes," she said.

Jose Diaz's wife runs Latinxs Infuzion Gift Shop right next door. He's a veteran and said it's a popular spot for retired military.

"Sometimes there are fights over there, but when people start drinking, things happen," said Diaz. "Really sad situation. I know the owner of Big Apple and he's a good guy. Things happen like that."

Fayetteville Police said the incident started as an argument and escalated as Galberth allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Stroman. Police said the two "were known to each other."

Bowman and other residents said they'd like to see solutions soon.

"Completely closed. Just put the Big Apple somewhere in the country and open a restaurant so it won't disturb the neighborhood because we get the noise," Bowman said.

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