Man Charged with Assaulting Student at Douglas Byrd High School

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – A Fayetteville man has been arrested and charged in connection with the assault of a student at Douglas Byrd High School, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

Devon Leron Murphy, 41, was charged and arrested on Thursday, July 31, 2025, by the department’s Youth Services Unit. He faces one count of assault by strangulation and one count of misdemeanor child abuse.

Murphy was transported to the Cumberland County Detention Center, where he was held on a secured bond of $25,000. He has since posted bond.

The investigation is ongoing. The Fayetteville Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this case, or anyone who believes they may have also been a victim, to contact Detective Duncan at (910) 578-2597.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS (8477), submitting an online tip at fay-nccrimestoppers.org, or using the "P3 Tips" app.