Family of slain suspect in Fayetteville hospital shooting says it wants answers

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The family of a man killed by a Fayetteville police officer during a shooting inside Cape Fear Valley Medical Center this month is speaking out.

Around 8:20 a.m. on Nov. 6, a Cumberland County Sheriff's Office deputy and 31-year-old Treva Smutherman got into a "scuffle" in which Smutherman tried to grab the deputy's gun, officials said. Officials said Smutherman shot the deputy and was then killed by a responding police officer.

On Nov. 8, the Fayetteville Police Department identified the officer as Detective Tyler Newman, 30.

Now, Smutherman’s family members said in an interview with WRAL's Gilbert Baez that they want answers from law enforcement and the hospital. They also want to know what could have been done to prevent Smutherman from being killed.

Smutherman’s family members and lawyer Allen Rogers said they will always remember the five gunshots inside the hospital that took his life. His mother, Laura Smutherman-Malcolm, is desperate for answers.

"I don't need nobody covering up stuff ... I really need to know what happened," Smutherman-Malcolm said.

A patient at Cape Fear Valley Hospital shared video with WRAL News of the scuffle between Smutherman and the Cumberland County deputy. During the altercation, police say Smutherman shot the deputy. Smutherman was then shot and killed by Newman, who was at the hospital for another investigation.

"Did he have his hand on the gun? I mean, did he have the gun in his hand for them to shoot him down like that?" Allison Smutherman asked.

[link to www.wral.com (secure)]