ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT
Erien Amanda Smith, 22, of J. Crowe Road in the Rough Branch Housing area of the Wolfetown Community, was shot and killed early in the morning of Tuesday, May 18. According to Ray Stamper, EBCI Public Safety, a call came into EBCI Dispatch at 1:16am reporting that a female had been shot.
According to Stamper, “No one has been formally charged in this incident, but a person of interest has been taken into custody for questioning. His name has not been released by the FBI. At this point, there is an on-going investigation.”
Early media reports stated that Ernie Lespier, of Cherokee, had been apprehended and charged with Smith’s murder, but those were premature.
Sue Ellen Pierce, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, reported that no charges have been filed against Lespier as of Wednesday morning.
Stamper related that Smith’s family has been notified.
Visit the One Feather website at www.nc-cherokee.com/theonefeather for ongoing updates to this developing story.
