At least five killed, including off-duty officer, in shooting in Raleigh

At least five people were killed after a shooter opened fire near a paved trail in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday. A suspect is now in custody.

Raleigh Major Mary-Ann Baldwin said at a press conference that multiple people were shot just after 5 p.m. on the Neuse River Greenway, a 27.5-mile trail near the Neuse River with a boardwalk, historical sights and agricultural fields. 

She said that the Raleigh Police Department has confirmed five fatalities, and one of them was an off-duty officer in the department. 

Baldwin said two others were taken to the hospital, one of them a Raleigh K9 officer who did not have life-threatening injuries. 

“This is a sad and tragic day for the city of Raleigh,” she said. 

Raleigh police tweeted that they had the suspect in custody at 9:40 p.m. Thursday. Police later confirmed the suspect is a male juvenile.

Baldwin said multiple local and state law enforcement agencies are assisting Raleigh police with the investigation.  

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) tweeted that he has spoken with Baldwin and instructed state law enforcement to provide assistance. He said state and local officers were working to stop the shooter and keep people safe. 

“All of us in Raleigh need to come together,” Baldwin said. “We need to support those in our community who have suffered a terrible loss.” 

Police had advised residents in the area to stay in their homes and drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while the shooting was happening. 

Lt. Jason Borneo said at the press conference that authorities did not immediately have additional information about the conditions of the multiple people injured. 

He said at a later press conference that the officer who was taken to the hospital has been released, while another person remains in critical condition.

He said officials will provide another update at around 8 a.m. on Friday.

Borneo said the investigation is ongoing, and details like motive are still being determined.

The Hill has reached out to the police department for additional information.

– Updated 11:17 p.m.