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Police gather at the Aldi on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, Thursday evening, Oct. 13, 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – The Raleigh Police Department responded to the scene of an active shooting near a popular greenway on Thursday evening. Multiple other law enforcement agencies were also involved in the investigation.
Police arrived in the area of the Neuse River Greenway near Osprey Cove Drive and Bay Harbor Drive in the Hedingham neighborhood around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
City leaders said in a press conference that five people have died as a result of the shooting. Two others were injured, including a K-9 officer. That officer has since been released from the hospital.
The other person injured is a civilian and remains in critical condition, according to officials.
A male juvenile suspect has been taken into custody following a mass shooting in Raleigh.
The suspect, who was identified as a white, male juvenile, was taken into custody around 9:37 p.m., according to police.
“All of us in Raleigh right now need to come together,” Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said during an initial press conference. “We need to support those in our community who have suffered a terrible loss. We need to support the family of the officer killed. It’s tragic day because Raleigh Police have lost one of their own.”
“We must do more,” she continued. “We must stop this mindless violence in America. We must address gun violence. We have much to do, and tonight we have much to mourn.”
During a later press briefing, Gov. Roy Cooper joined Baldwin.
“Tonight terror has reached our doorstep,” Gov. Cooper said. “The nightmare of every community has come to Raleigh. This is a senseless, horrific and infuriating act of violence that has been committed.”
A police lieutenant was also present at the briefing, and provided information regarding the injuries and the investigation, which he said is ongoing. Investigators remain at the scene and are collecting evidence and speaking with residents.
“These law enforcement officers ran to the crisis,” Cooper said. “When they knew there was an active shooter ready to kill people.”
“All of us have many questions,” he continued. “But as we seek answers to those questions, let’s pray for these victims, their families, the communities that have been shocked by this, and that we all depend on each other and help each other during this difficult time.”
With Cooper’s backing, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety made numerous state resources available in response to the shooting.
State Highway Patrol aviation and local patrol members, State Capitol Police Officers, and Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agents all responded and assisted the Raleigh Police Department.
“DPS is providing any needed resources as requested in this investigation and working with local law enforcement to stop this shooter,” NCDPS Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. said on Thursday evening.
“I have spoken with Mayor Baldwin and instructed state law enforcement to provide assistance responding to the active shooter in East Raleigh,” N.C. Governor Roy Cooper tweeted on Thursday evening. “State and local officers are on the ground and working to stop the shooter and keep people safe.”
Residents in the area of Hedingham Neighborhood, McConnell Oliver Drive, Tarheel Club Drive, and Old Milburnie Road were advised to remain indoors. Due to area closures, drivers had to be advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Raleigh Police will provide further updates tomorrow morning at 8:30.
Source:newsobserver.com/news