A Cary high school community grapples with shock and heightened security measures following a shooting that left one teen injured and another in custody yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred near Cary High School on Walnut Street, sending neighboring schools into lockdown as a precaution.
Cary police have confirmed that a 15-year-old was shot in the leg/groin area, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to ABC11. Police stated that a 17-year-old suspect is in custody, with two weapons recovered from the teen. The arrest was made approximately two and a half hours after officers responded to the incident.
The Cary Police Department had initially described the event as an "active shooter situation," but this was later clarified. Police Chief Terry Sult stated that it was not an active shooter or random shooting incident. The two teens involved knew each other, suggesting the altercation might have stemmed from a disagreement, "It may be something as simple as a disagreement between [two people] or two groups," Sult remarked in a news briefing on The News & Observer.
Following the incident, the area surrounding the 600 block of Walnut Street was locked down, affecting East Cary Magnet Middle School, Adams Elementary, Cary Elementary, and Cary High School. None of these schools were involved in the shooting, and the lockdowns have since been lifted, WRAL reports. Despite the lockdowns being lifted, Cary High School will see an increase in security the day following the shooting as a precautionary measure.
Local police are continuing their investigation into the incident, which temporarily shut down Walnut Street from Cary Towne Boulevard to Maynard Road. A video circulating on social media depicting a fight has provided law enforcement with additional leads to pursue. According to Police Chief Sult, while the video means there are more individuals to question, it does not necessarily suggest there will be further charges.
