Shots Fired Near Dogwood Festival Forces Early Shutdown, Leaves Community on Edge
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, one of North Carolina’s most beloved spring traditions, was rocked by violence Saturday night. Therefore, forcing organizers to shut down festivities early and leaving the community reeling.
What was supposed to be a vibrant weekend filled with music, food, and family fun turned tense around 8:35 p.m. on April 26, 2025, when gunfire erupted near the festival grounds. However, this afternoon, everyone is back out there. Today’s festivities have taken place without incident.
Timeline of Events: How It Unfolded
Around 8:35 p.m., Fayetteville police received multiple reports of shots fired near the 200 block of Maiden Lane. That’s just outside the Cumberland County Public Library. Additionally, it’s close to Festival Park where the Dogwood Festival was underway.
Though the shooting occurred outside the festival’s official footprint, it caused immediate concern. Police later confirmed that no one was injured in the first shooting. However, a vehicle in the vicinity was struck by bullets.
Festival organizers acted quickly, issuing a statement on social media that shots had been fired near the event and emphasizing that safety was their top priority. They ordered an evacuation of Festival Park and closed the event at 9 p.m., two hours earlier than the scheduled 11 p.m. close.
Just an hour later, around 10 p.m., a second shooting took place near the Liberty Gas Station at 120 Rowan Street, roughly 600 feet from Festival Park. In this incident, one individual was found shot and transported to the hospital.
As of now, Fayetteville police have not confirmed whether the two shootings are related.
Impact on the Festival
The shootings had an immediate and significant impact on the Dogwood Festival, a celebration now in its 43rd year that typically draws more than 250,000 visitors across the three-day weekend.
Saturday night’s headliner performances, including a highly anticipated set from country singer Drew Baldridge, were canceled. Festival organizers emphasized their commitment to safety, assuring the public that law enforcement was working diligently to investigate the situation.
Despite Saturday night’s disruption, the Dogwood Festival resumed operations as planned on Sunday, April 27, from noon to 6 p.m. No additional incidents were reported during Sunday’s events.
It’s important to clarify: while some initial confusion online suggested Sunday’s events might have been canceled too, festival organizers made it clear that only Saturday night’s activities were cut short. Sunday’s programming, including the classic car show and daytime musical performances, proceeded without issue.
Law Enforcement and Ongoing Investigations
The Fayetteville Police Department responded swiftly to both incidents. After the first shooting, officers located a vehicle with visible bullet damage near Maiden Lane. In the second incident, they found a shooting victim at the Liberty Gas Station and rushed them to the hospital.
As of the latest updates, no suspects have been publicly identified, and investigators are still working to determine whether the two shootings are connected.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) or online at fay-nccrimestoppers.org. Detective C. Cross is also available for direct contact at (472) 210-2381.
Community Reaction: Fear, Frustration, and Resilience
The atmosphere around Festival Park on Saturday night was tense and chaotic as news of the first shooting spread. Eyewitnesses described scenes of families hurriedly gathering their children, vendors packing up, and festival staff coordinating the evacuation with police.
City Council Member Courtney Banks-McLaughlin posted on Facebook about the experience, noting how quickly attendees responded to the chaos and emphasizing the importance of community support during crises.
Across social media, residents expressed a mix of fear and frustration — relief that more people weren’t hurt, but sadness that violence had overshadowed a family event that’s supposed to be a safe space for the community.
A Festival That Represents More Than Just Fun
The Dogwood Festival is more than just an annual celebration. For Fayetteville, it’s a cultural touchstone. Also, it’s a symbol of community pride and togetherness.
Each year, the festival brings in a boost to local businesses, showcases regional talent, and provides a platform for family memories. From carnival rides and food trucks to national recording artists performing free concerts, it embodies a slice of Americana that many hold dear.
To have such a major event disrupted by violence strikes at the heart of what the Dogwood Festival stands for. However, the festival’s ability to resume the next day without further incidents demonstrated the resilience of both the organizers and the broader Fayetteville community.
Final Thoughts
The festival managed to conclude safely on Sunday. So, the events of Saturday night serve as a stark reminder of the challenges public events face in maintaining security in today’s environment.
The Fayetteville Police Department and Dogwood Festival organizers handled the situation with commendable speed and communication. But the fear and disruption caused by the shootings will not be easily forgotten.
The community now waits for answers. First, answers about who was responsible and why. Meanwhile, also hoping that when the Dogwood Festival returns in 2026 stronger, safer, and with the joyful spirit that has defined it for over four decades.
Until then, Fayetteville’s residents are reminded of the importance of looking out for one another. Therefore, staying vigilant, and working together to ensure that spaces meant for joy and celebration remain exactly that.
Moving forward, this incident could spark new conversations about event security, crowd safety protocols, and the importance of proactive community policing. In an era where large public gatherings often face heightened risks, festivals like Fayetteville’s Dogwood must strike a delicate balance between preserving their open. Therefore, welcoming atmosphere and ensuring the utmost safety of every attendee.
Despite the chaos, Fayetteville showed resilience. Families returned for the final day, determined not to let fear overshadow a tradition that means so much to the city. The hope is that future festivals can continue to bring joy, unity, and celebration—without the shadow of violence.
The investigation into the shootings continues, and the Fayetteville community will be watching closely. Justice, healing, and accountability are all needed now more than ever.
Because at the heart of the Dogwood Festival is a belief in community. So, that spirit, despite everything, remains unbroken.
