The Fayetteville Police Department has released an image of a car potentially linked to the June 7 murder of Gregory Smith, a manager at the Applebee’s restaurant in Fayetteville.
Department spokesman Mike Whitlow said surveillance video from the Applebee’s camera system showed 27-year-old Smith exiting the store while another camera showed what is believed to be a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu occupied by at least two people.
The Malibu, with headlights off, is seen pausing near the restaurant’s rear door, then continuing on at about the time Smith exited the front door, Whitlow said.
Whitlow said investigators consider the occupants of the car to be persons of interest in the murder investigation.
Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Dept. at 770-461-4441 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
Smith’s girlfriend on June 7 became concerned when he did not return home after work. Noting that Smith normally left the restaurant around 2 a.m., Whitlow said the girlfriend traveled to the store around 6:30 a.m. and found Smith deceased in his vehicle.
Whitlow said there was a bullet hole in the driver’s window and shell casings found in the parking lot near the vehicle.
The Applebee’s video showed Smith leaving the restaurant at 2:58 a.m., Whitlow said, adding that it is believed that some type of interaction occurred between Smith and the shooter outside Smith’s vehicle.
Applebee’s is offering a significant reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects. Applebee’s is not releasing the amount of the reward at this time.
