On Friday morning, a tragic shooting at the North Hills Shopping Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, claimed the life of one man and left two others injured. The incident occurred at Coquette Brasserie, a French restaurant situated in the center of the shopping complex on The Circle at North Hills Street. The shooting took place just before 11:00 a.m., when an individual entered the restaurant and opened fire, targeting the chef and two other men inside.
The immediate aftermath was chaotic and deadly. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was critically injured, and the third sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Emergency services quickly responded, with both injured men being rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent care.
Raleigh Police Department officials were quick to clarify that this was not an ongoing active shooter scenario, yet they advised the public to steer clear of North Hills due to the significant police operation underway. The area saw a heavy law enforcement presence, with over 20 police vehicles at the scene, and officers were seen with firearms drawn to secure the perimeter around Coquette Brasserie.
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the event, with reports of patrons and staff rushing out of the restaurant, some visibly wounded. Blood was observed near the restaurant's entrance, adding to the urgency of the situation. The shooting not only disrupted normal activities at North Hills but also led to immediate security measures in the surrounding community.
The impact was felt beyond the immediate vicinity of the shooting. The entire shopping center was sealed off, with all access points closed, severely affecting local traffic. Six Forks Road, a major artery through the area, was shut down in both directions, leading to additional traffic complications due to related accidents. Lassiter Mill Road was also blocked, contributing to the chaos.
In response to the shooting, several nearby schools implemented lockdown procedures. Carroll Middle School was placed under a Code Red lockdown, confining students to classrooms for their safety, while Green Magnet Elementary School operated under a Code Yellow lockdown, restricting external access but allowing internal activities to continue. At least four other schools in the vicinity followed suit, ensuring student safety while the police managed the situation.
Parents were advised against attempting to collect their children from schools during the lockdown to avoid further complications and to maintain the integrity of the emergency protocols in place.
As of now, details regarding the shooter or the motives behind the attack remain undisclosed by the authorities, who are actively investigating the incident. The Raleigh Police Department has not named any suspects or provided a potential motive for the shooting, emphasizing the ongoing nature of their investigation.
The community and local authorities are on high alert, with a call for any information from the public that could assist in the investigation. Individuals who were in the area or witnessed the event are urged to come forward with tips to the Raleigh Police or through the local crime stoppers hotline.
This is an evolving situation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The incident at North Hills Shopping Center underscores the unpredictable nature of public safety and the critical role of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement in such crises.
