Fayetteville Man Receives 30-Year Sentence for Murder, Multiple Crimes

Kurtis Trashone Williams, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple violent offenses, including two counts of second-degree murder for the 2021 shooting deaths of two teens in Fayetteville, resulting in a 20 to 25 year prison sentence. In a separate case, Dominic Heal, 21, was sentenced to 30 years for the second-degree murder of Aveyun Smith, who he shot during a dispute in August 2023, along with 26 other charges related to firearms and drugs. Both cases highlight a concerning trend of gun violence in the region, with Williams' actions spanning various violent incidents and Heal's crime occurring amidst an ongoing personal conflict. Williams was also ordered to register as a sex offender and pay restitution, while Heal's plea deal included a suspended sentence for additional offenses. The severity of these cases has raised alarm in local communities regarding safety and crime prevention efforts. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents to address the underlying issues contributing to such violence.