In a shocking turn of events, a man was fatally shot in Fayetteville, North Carolina, just three years after being released from prison. Dante Van Cleef, 36, was gunned down on May 4, 2025, in what authorities are investigating as a possible act of self-defense. Eyewitnesses captured the harrowing moments on video, showing chaos erupting in a gated condominium community as gunfire erupted around 10:22 a.m.

Van Cleef, who had previously spent over a decade behind bars for a violent home invasion, was reportedly involved in an altercation that escalated into gunfire. Witnesses claim he fired first, prompting a response from another individual who then shot him dead. The scene was chaotic, with neighbors peering out from their homes in terror as the gunman walked calmly around the parking lot, rifle in hand, waiting for police to arrive.

As investigators work to piece together the details, the community is left reeling from the violence. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspected shooter, who is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Police confirmed that there is currently no active threat to the community.

The incident raises troubling questions about the cycle of violence and the challenges of providing second chances to individuals like Van Cleef, who struggled to escape a life of crime. Just three years after his release, his life ended in a tragic confrontation that underscores the dangers of unresolved anger and reckless behavior.

As the investigation unfolds, Fayetteville residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any information related to the shooting. The community watches closely, hoping for answers in the wake of this devastating loss.