15-year-old shot outside Village Square in Cary; 17-year-old in custody
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A 15-year-old was shot near the Village Square shopping center in the 600 block of Walnut Street in Cary on Thursday afternoon.
The teen was shot in the leg/groin area and suffered what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Police said a 17-year-old suspect is in custody, and officers recovered two weapons from the teen. The arrest was made around 5 p.m., police said.
An initial report from Cary PD said two people had been shot, but in an update, Cary Police Chief Terry Sult said there was one gunshot victim after officers initially responded to an "active shooter event."
Sult said officers initially responded to an "active-shooter event" but there was not an active shooter and that several "persons of interest" were being detained for questioning.
A "couple of weapons" were seized, the chief added. Drones were used to look for suspects and secure the scene.
Backpacks and shoes were visible on the ground behind crime-scene tape as officers investigated.
Police said they believe the shooting occurred in the roadway just off the intersection of Cary Towne Parkway and Walnut Drive.
"Based on the information we have at this time, and this is subject to change, we believe this is an incident that occurred between known parties," Sult said. "And so this was not a random or active shooter situation."
Lockdowns have been lifted at Adams Elementary School and East Cary Magnet Middle School. Police said the schools were not involved in this incident. All schools are now on Code Green, which essentially means school activities are back to normal.
A couple of eyewitnesses told ABC11 that there were a lot of teenagers in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter, a popular hangout spot. They said they saw a couple of fights break out but did not expect any gunfire.
"It's kind of a weird position ... it was kind of a shock," a Cary High School student told ABC11.
In a video taken by an eyewitness, teens could be seen running and six or seven gunshots were heard.
Investigators were questioning possible witnesses, including students.
Walnut Street from Cary Town Boulevard to Maynard remains closed and police ask drivers to avoid the area. Cary Police said the closure is expected to last through the evening commute.
Cary police said an increased police presence will be at Cary High School on Friday out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Cary Crimestoppers at (919) 460-4636.
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