ST. PAULS, NC (August 6, 2025) — A somber cloud hangs over the quiet town of St. Pauls as the community grapples with the devastating loss of 18-year-old Aaliyah U. Isles, a vibrant young woman from Fayetteville whose life was cut short in a tragic shooting. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, leading the investigation, confirmed that Aaliyah was found lifeless on Monday morning, August 4, 2025, near the intersection of Talmage Road and Tolarsville Road, her dreams extinguished by a single, fatal gunshot wound.
At approximately 11:07 a.m., deputies rushed to the scene after receiving a distressing call about a young woman lying unresponsive by the roadside. Upon arrival, they discovered Aaliyah, whose promising future was stolen in an instant. Despite the swift response of emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a community in shock and a family shattered by grief.
The circumstances surrounding Aaliyah’s death remain shrouded in mystery, as investigators from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Division work tirelessly to unravel the truth. No suspects have been named, and the motive behind this senseless act of violence is still unclear. Authorities are treating the case as a homicide, combing through evidence and chasing every lead to bring justice to Aaliyah and her loved ones.
Aaliyah, remembered by those who knew her as a beacon of kindness and ambition, was just beginning to carve her path in the world. Friends and family have taken to social media to share their heartache, painting a picture of a young woman with a radiant spirit and boundless potential. “She was the kind of person who lit up a room,” one friend wrote. “Her smile could make your worst day feel better.” Another described her as “smart, driven, and full of dreams,” a sentiment echoed by many who are struggling to comprehend her loss.
“This is a nightmare no family should endure,” a grieving relative shared. “Aaliyah had so much ahead of her—college, a career, a life full of possibilities. Someone stole that from her, from us.” The outpouring of love and sorrow underscores the profound impact Aaliyah had on those around her, her memory now a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.
As the investigation presses forward, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the public for help. Anyone who was in the vicinity of Talmage Road and Tolarsville Road on the morning of August 4, or who may have information about the incident, is urged to come forward. Tips can be shared directly with the Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3170 or anonymously through Crimestoppers, offering a glimmer of hope that answers will soon emerge.
The St. Pauls and Fayetteville communities are uniting in their grief, with plans underway for a candlelight vigil to honor Aaliyah’s memory. The event, expected to draw friends, family, and neighbors, will serve as a poignant tribute to a young woman whose light was extinguished far too soon. Details of the vigil are still being finalized, as are arrangements for Aaliyah’s funeral, with her family requesting privacy during this painful time.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins has vowed a relentless pursuit of justice, assuring the community that his team is leaving no stone unturned. “We are committed to finding the truth and holding those responsible accountable,” he said in a statement. As the investigation unfolds, updates will be shared with a community desperate for closure.
In the wake of this tragedy, St. Pauls stands still, mourning a life lost to violence and rallying around Aaliyah’s memory. Her story, though cut short, continues to inspire those who knew her, a testament to the indelible mark she left on the world. As candles are lit and prayers are offered, the hope for justice burns brightly, a beacon for a young woman whose spirit will never be forgotten.
