05/02/2026
Gun violence in Fayetteville is often spotlighted by headlines -- but the data tells a more complex story.
In 2024, the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute partnered with the City of Fayetteville, NC Government to take a closer look at gun violence by combining crime data, community voices and completing a cost analysis. The findings show some progress, with firearm incidents declining overall since 2022, though young adults ages 18 to 24 are more likely to be involved with gun violence.
The findings also highlight persistent challenges, including concentrated impacts in certain neighborhoods and a staggering $466 million cost in 2024 that was driven largely by quantifying the intangible costs associated with loss of life and the long-term effects on victims, families and communities.
The report underscores that young adults are both at the center of risk and key to prevention. It also reveals a critical gap between perception and reality -- one that can shape investment, opportunity and ,ultimately, outcomes.
Reducing gun violence requires more than enforcement. It calls for early intervention, stronger data systems, community partnerships and a shift in how we understand and talk about violence.
A more informed, community-centered approach can help Fayetteville build on progress while addressing the conditions that drive it.
Read more here: bit.ly/4t1XtpB
