Big Apple restaurants and sports bar become the scene of a murder investigation after a man is shot

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — Fayetteville police are investigating after a man was shot at a sports bar on Yadkin Road early Friday morning.

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

“I heard the pow pow pow pow,” Bowman shouted. “That was before 2 a.m., darling. The shooting woke me up at 1:15 a.m.”

Bowman, a military widow, tells ABC 11 the community has changed significantly in the 34 years she has lived there. She said it wasn’t the first incident in the Big Apple.

“Were there shootings there? Yes. Were there fights? Yes. Were the police there beaten up? Yes,” she said.

Jose Diaz’s wife runs the Latinx Infuzion Gift Shop next door. He’s a veteran and says it’s a popular spot for retired military men.

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

Fayetteville police have not said what led to the shooting, but residents like Bowman say they would like to see solutions soon.

“Completely closed. Just put the Big Apple somewhere in the country and open a restaurant so the neighborhood won’t be disturbed by the noise.”

The victim’s name has not been released.

The police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Anyone with information regarding this murder investigation is asked to contact Detective T. Kiger at (910) 705-6527 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically by visiting and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by downloading the FREE P3 Tips app, available for Apple devices in the Apple App Store and for Android devices in Google Play .