A memo from Raleigh, NC, Police Chief Estella Patterson released today reveals new details about the attack that killed five people, including off-duty Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres.
The 15-year-old suspect reportedly used a shotgun, handgun, and hunting knife in the attack. Motive for the murders has not been disclosed.
The victims had no apparent connection other than being in the same Hedingham neighborhood in northeastern Raleigh the night of the Oct. 13 incident, the News & Observer reports.
After the initial shootings, the 15-year-old suspect fled to a nearby “barn-like structure,” the report says.
As officers were closing in, the suspect fired multiple shots at the officers from the buildings, wounding Officer Casey Clark, who fell to the ground, ABC11 reports.
Several officers returned fire. Officers then used cover fire so Clark could be pulled to safety and treated for his injuries.
A preliminary investigation indicates that RPD officers fired an estimated 23 rounds at the outbuilding.
Officers established a perimeter and gave the suspect repeated commands to come out with his hands up and to surrender his weapons. Officers with the Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU) used tactical equipment to identify the exact location of the suspect in the outbuilding and the weapons in his possession.
“The suspect was located lying on the ground and appeared to be suffering from a single gunshot wound,” the report said.
The suspect is still in critical condition. It was not revealed if the suspect was wounded by law enforcement or by himself.
