'Good news': Injured Raleigh mass shooting victim improving, RPD chief says in City Council update
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson spoke at Tuesday's Raleigh City Council meeting to give a brief update on the investigation into the mass shooting that happened Thursday in the Hedingham neighborhood.
Patterson shared good news about two of the victims injured in the shooting. She said Marcille Gardner, 59, remained in the hospital but she was showing great signs of improvement. In addition, Casey Joseph Clark, 33, has already been released from the hospital, and he continues to get better every day.
As for the 15-year-old accused of carrying out the shooting, he remains in critical condition in the hospital.
Patterson also offered thoughts and prayers for the victims and their loved ones. She went on to thank everyone for the outpouring of support shown to RPD and officer Gabriel Torres -- who was one of the people killed in the massacre.
"We'd like to thank the community for their overwhelming support, their prayers, their condolences, their expressions of kindnesses extended to Officer Torres' family as well as the entire Raleigh Police Department," Patterson said. "For members of the public, if you would like to support the Torres family, please email RPDSupport@raleighnc.gov,"
As far as updates on the investigation, Patterson kept mostly quiet. She again said further details would be released in the department's 5-day report, which is expected to be released Thursday. The report will include a detailed outline of events during the shooting, including the suspect's injuries and what type of weapon was used.
The chief said the homicide unit has been working around the clock these past five days to "better understand the sequence of events that occurred and the possible motives behind the suspect's actions."
Meanwhile, the families of the five people killed in the shooting are starting to plan visitations and funerals. Below are the arrangements that have been made public so far:
- Visitation: Friday Oct. 21, 4-7p - Mitchell Funeral Home 7209 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
- Funeral: Saturday Oct. 22, 11a - Cross Assembly Church 2660 Yonkers Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Susan Karnatz
- Celebration of Life: Saturday Oct. 22, 2pm - North Raleigh Presbyterian Church, 11905 Strickland Rd, Raleigh
Mary Marshall
- Celebration of Life: Saturday Oct. 29 - details pending
Nicole Connors
- Body not returned to family as of Oct 17
James Thompson
- No details as of Oct 17
City officials also announced that a public vigil will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday outside the Memorial Auditorium.
"We have lost five people as a result of a senseless act of gun violence," Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said. "This impact will be felt on our community for years to come as many lives have been forever changed."
The city is also creating a website that will offer support resources to the families and the greater Raleigh community
SEE ALSO | What we know about those killed in the Hedingham mass shooting
The Hedingham community held a vigil Saturday to honor the lives lost in Thursday's shooting. People paid their respects by placing flowers at the community sign and joining in moments of silence.
Sunday afternoon members of the nonprofit Back the Blue NC and many others placed flowers on the hood of the patrol car in Torres's honor. The police SUV was draped with a black tarp and donned with black and blue ribbons.
RELATED: 'Our hearts are heavy': Hedingham mass shooting vigil unites community in grief
