Shooting Downtown Raleigh, Man, Woman shot in Downtown Raleigh; Suspects, Attorneys were in court together before shooting – Suspect In Custody

A shooting outside the old Wake County Courthouse in downtown Raleigh left two attorneys injured Friday morning and prompted a major police response that temporarily paralyzed parts of the city center.

According to Rico Boyce, the two victims — a man and a woman, both attorneys — had been inside the same courtroom as the alleged shooter earlier in the day. Police said the suspect became disruptive during court proceedings before leaving the courthouse.

Authorities stated that after exiting the building, the suspect allegedly returned to a vehicle, retrieved a handgun, and later opened fire on the attorneys as they were leaving the courthouse area.

Police have not yet publicly identified the victims or the suspect, and officials have not disclosed the specific case connected to the courtroom proceedings. Chief Boyce indicated he believed the matter being heard was civil in nature.

Emergency radio traffic described multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds as first responders rushed to the scene near an alleyway between the courthouse and the nearby federal building. Authorities confirmed that the female victim was transported into surgery, while the male victim was reported to be in stable condition.

Witnesses described scenes of confusion and panic both inside and outside the courthouse complex. Individuals inside courtrooms reported hearing gunfire followed by sirens, emergency vehicles, and heightened activity throughout the building.

One witness said people inside the courthouse rushed toward windows after hearing the shots ring out. Another individual who had been nearby described seeing a woman lying on the ground shortly after the shooting occurred before police and paramedics flooded the area.

A nearby gym patron also described hearing gunshots and expressed concern over the violence unfolding in the middle of downtown Raleigh during normal daytime activity.

The shooting triggered an extensive law enforcement response throughout the downtown district. Roads surrounding the courthouse complex were shut down as investigators secured the scene and searched for evidence. Martin Street between Fayetteville and Salisbury streets was closed to traffic for an extended period while detectives processed the area.

Security measures were also increased at surrounding government buildings, with some locations restricting entry to individuals with identification only. Numerous people working downtown were temporarily unable to access their vehicles because of the active investigation perimeter.

The courthouse itself was briefly placed on lockdown following the shooting before reopening later in the day. Officials announced that both the old and new courthouse buildings would close early as the investigation continued.

Police said detectives remain in the early stages of the investigation and are continuing to gather witness statements, review surveillance footage, and determine the full sequence of events leading up to the shooting.

Authorities have not yet announced any charges or confirmed whether additional individuals were involved. The investigation remains active and ongoing.