The Raleigh Police Department has made a second arrest following a shootout at Crabtree Valley Mall. Jamarion Quaben Burton, a 22-year-old from Durham, was charged with felony discharge of a weapon into occupied property. The incident, which happened last weekend, damaged nearly 20 cars but thankfully left no one injured. This information comes from statements released by the authorities and reported by WRAL.
The first arrest in connection with the shootout was 24-year-old Jaquez Brown, who made his first court appearance earlier this week. Assistant District Attorney Matt Lively said in court, "[Brown] put the safety of all of the residents of Wake County at great risk with a cowboy-style gunfight at Crabtree Mall." The incident appears to be linked to a conflict between rival gangs and has raised concerns about gang violence in Raleigh, as stated by WNCT.
Kerwin Pittman, a social justice advocate and former gang member, argued for a more comprehensive approach, stating that "housing and mental health are crucial," and added, "Until we take it seriously as a whole and city leaders take it seriously, and not just with words saying we have a problem and do something other than locking people up to address these problems, it's going to continue to happen sadly." Meanwhile, Crabtree Mall assured shoppers that security measures, including Raleigh Police Department officers, are in place. The Raleigh Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, aiming to uncover more details about the shooting incident and its connection to broader gang violence in the city, as mentioned by ABC 11.
