Raleigh home invasion suspect dies week after shooting, 2 others charged

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man who was seriously injured in a shooting last week at a Raleigh apartment complex has died, police said Tuesday.

It happened just before 5 a.m. in the 6600 block of Lake Hill Drive. The man was identified as Julian David Kent, 25.

RPD said that after an investigation, it was determined that the incident happened as a result of an attempted home invasion. Three people, including Kent, tried to break into an apartment, and in the ensuing gunfire, Kent was shot by his own companions. Police did not clarify whether the shooting was accidental.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, 20-year-old Cincere Henry Pugh and 19-year-old Javan Ryan Smith.

RPD said that Kent, Pugh, and Smith were connected to a similar home invasion in Knightdale the night of Aug. 17.

"The loss of life is something no parent or friend should ever have to face, regardless of the cause, Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said in a statement. "As the Chief of Police, my mission is to make Raleigh a safe place for everyone. Violent crime will not be tolerated in our city, and this is a shared goal among neighboring agencies to ensure Wake County is safe for all. Let this serve as a warning to those who seek to harm or exploit others: the Raleigh Police Department will do everything in its power to hold criminals accountable. I want to express my gratitude to our officers and detectives for their outstanding work and thank the Knightdale Police Department for assisting us in holding these young men responsible."

Linked to a rape case

Police also said that Kent and Smith were linked to a rape case in the 130000 block of Falls of Neuse Road on Aug. 3.

In that rape case, officers learned that a third suspect was involved. A 17-year-old boy was arrested and will be charged as an adult.

Pugh was charged with murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, two counts of conspiracy to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree rape, three counts of forcible sex offense, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and he will face additional charges from the Knightdale Police Department.

Smith was charged with murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, two counts of conspiracy to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, forcible sex offense, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and he also will face additional charges in Knightdale.

The 17-year-old was charged with first-degree rape, three counts of forcible sex offense, first-degree kidnapping, and two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon.
These incidents remain under investigation.

Anyone with information on these cases is asked to please call the Raleigh Police Department at (919) 996-3335 or visit Crimestoppers and click "Leave a Tip" on the top right of the page.

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