Sandy MaloneRaleigh, NC – Five people were killed, including an off-duty Raleigh police officer, and two more were wounded when a 15-year-old gunman went on a killing spree in Raleigh on Thursday evening.
Police said the suspect began shooting at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 in the Hedingham neighborhood near Osprey Cove Drive and Bay Harbor Drive, WTVD reported.
Sources close to the investigation said the teen gunman was wearing camouflage and carried a camouflage backpack, CNN reported.
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson told reporters on Friday that the suspect shot two people there and then ran toward the Neuse River Greenway Trail, a popular walking area.
When he reached the trail, the 15-year-old gunman opened fire again and shot five more people, according to Chief Patterson.
Three of those gunshot victims died, WTVD reported.
Witnesses have said the teen gunman had a long gun, but police officials have not yet confirmed what kind of weapon the killer was using.
Police have said both a long gun and a handgun were recovered at the scene, CNN reported.
The suspect remained at large for hours after his shooting spree and police announced an “active shooter situation” and asked residents to stay inside their homes, WTVD reported.
Police “contained” the suspect inside a residence at about 8 p.m. and then he was apprehended by authorities shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night near the intersection of Old Milburnie Road and McConnel Oliver Drive, CNN reported.
The shooter was critically wounded during the long standoff, CNN reported.
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He was transported to Wake Med in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, WTVD reported.
Breaking News: At least 5 people were fatally shot, including an off-duty police officer, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The authorities said the suspect was contained. https://t.co/37dCs0OyX8
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 14, 2022
Officials have not yet said whether the suspect’s injuries were self-inflicted or if he was hurt when officers took him into custody.
Chief Patterson has not released the identity of the juvenile mass killer, WTVD reported.
She confirmed that one of the victims of the mass shooting was 29-year-old Raleigh Police Officer Gabriel Torres, who was on his way to work when he was killed, CNN reported.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the Raleigh PD and the entire Raleigh community this evening. During this senseless and horrific active shooter incident, 1 off duty Raleigh PD Officer was killed, 1 Raleigh PD K9 Officers was shot, and several civilians were shot and/or killed. pic.twitter.com/LS8CR1ybp2
— Durham FOP Lodge 2 (@DurhamFOPLodge2) October 14, 2022
Authorities identified the other victims who were fatally shot as 52-year-old Nicole Conners, 49-year-old Susan Karnatz, 35-year-old Mary Marshal, and 16-year-old James Roger Thompson.
A second police officer was wounded during the incident and has since been treated and released, CNN reported.
Chief Patterson said 59-year-old Marcille Lynn Gardner remained in critical condition at Wake Med.
The police chief said the gunman’s motive remained unknown and said Raleigh police were continuing to investigate, CNN reported.
“My heart is heavy, because we don’t have answers as to why this tragedy occurred,” the police chief told reporters.
She told reporters that the crime scene spanned about two miles across the neighborhood, WTVD reported.
Holly Matkin
