Couple, children escape injury after gunfire near Brier Creek fireworks

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A couple says they are still shaken after a gunshot struck their vehicle while they and two children were leaving a Fourth of July fireworks show in Brier Creek.

Raleigh police have arrested 16-year-old Justin Brown in connection with the incident. Brown was charged as an adult and faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, felony riot and going armed to the terror of the public.

The couple, who asked to be identified only as Nate and Eliza, told ABC11 they had been sitting in parking lot traffic for nearly an hour after the fireworks when they noticed someone approaching their vehicle.

"My nephew actually pointed out the one guy in particular, the one in the ski mask with a hoodie on," Nate said. "I just seen him pacing a little."

Nate said he then saw the person pull out a gun.



"By the time I seen him, he was already in front, and he pulled out the gun from his hoodie pocket. And that's when he shot," Nate said.

Eliza said she initially feared she had been struck by the gunfire.

"I was terrified and I definitely thought I was hurt. I thought, 'Was I just shot?'" she said.

The couple said the bullet did not enter the vehicle. They drove away from the scene and called police from a location where they felt safe.

According to Raleigh police, the arrest brings the total number of teens taken into custody in connection with last weekend's "teen takeover" activities to five. Police Chief Rico Boyce said he expects additional arrests.



"I anticipate more arrests, from all the activities that occurred last Saturday," Boyce said.

Boyce also discussed ongoing conversations about a possible curfew in Raleigh.

"We're going to bring people to the table and have a conversation about what that looks like," he said. "It's not all an enforcement piece, with what goes into our curfew. It's about protecting our youth and protecting people in the city."

After experiencing the shooting, Eliza said she supports tougher measures.

"Honestly, I'm just scared and I feel like the curfew needs to be at 10, and it should be very, very strict," she said.



Boyce said he wants greater police visibility throughout the city but did not say whether patrols would be increased in areas such as Glenwood South this weekend. He said public safety is a shared responsibility among all members of the community.

WATCH: Chief Boyce lays out timeline of teen takeovers on July 4th