'Incapable of proceeding with trial.' Judge rules in accused I-40 shooter, NCSU student's case

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina State University student accused of shooting at multiple cars on I-40 last fall has been deemed "incapable of proceeding with a trial."

Andrew Thomas Graney, 24, faces more than a dozen charges in the shootings in which at least eight cars and four homes were damaged.

A woman was also injured in the shootings.

"The shooter was probably just two houses down from me. What was (his) reasoning for just taking pot shots? But once it could kill people, it was a very dangerous situation," said Carol Hubbard, whose home is close to one of the houses that was hit by gunfire. "That doesn't help the people that are in the way that the people that he took aim at. Once I found out he was a student, it was kind of a surprise in a way that it was somebody that young."

Graney was arrested on Nov. 7, three days after the initial shooting was reported on I-40 eastbound between Chapel Hill Road and Cary Towne Boulevard.

There have been as many as 12 separate instances of shots fired on or around Interstate 40 in Raleigh, police confirmed.

Superior Court Judge Douglas Green ordered Graney committed to Central Regional Hospital on Monday after a June 19 mental health evaluation and a diagnosis of "inadequately treated schizophrenia."

On Tuesday afternoon, ABC11 spoke with Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman about the case.

"What's important to us is that, you know, there is the opportunity for him to go and receive whatever services he needs in order to be able to return here and face trial in this matter," Freeman said.

Graney now sits under 24/7 watch at Central Regional Hospital in Butner until he is considered "restored" -- or fit to undergo trial.

"It does ultimately delay that victim obtaining justice," Freeman said. "And so that can be very frustrating for them."

While there is now a delay, Freeman said that it doesn't mean a denial.

"So, this certainly does not mean that this case is over," Freeman said. "We're still at the beginning of what you know, unfortunately, is a lot of times can be a lengthy process ... I have confidence that we will be able to get this case on track."

It is unclear when Graney will be evaluated again for mental health competency to be considered fit for trial

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