13-year-old killed by gun at Raleigh hotel, man charged
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Police say a 13-year-old boy is dead after a gun discharged in a hotel room and the bullet went through a wall into another room, hitting the teen.
It happened around 11 p.m. Friday at the Comfort Suites hotel at 1309 Corporation Parkway.
Randall Louis Vater, 42, of Knightdale has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The victim has been identified as Nathan Andrew Clark, of Lewisville, N.C.
Clark was in Raleigh to play in the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) shootout this weekend. His team has since pulled out of the tournament.
Some of the kids on the team were also staying in the hotel when the incident happened.
"We can confirm this tragic event took place in our hotel and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Clark Family. While an arrest has been made, at this time the police are still investigating and we are cooperating fully with the authorities. Since this is an ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further. As always, the safety and security of our guests and staff are of the highest importance," said Harshad Patel, General Manager of Comfort Suites.
Scott Wollaston, Executive Director of Twin City Youth Soccer Association (TCYSA), told ABC11 he is heartbroken for the family and knows Clark was their world.
CASL released the following statement:
"We awoke this morning with great sadness to the unsettling news that Nathan Clark tragically lost his life late Friday night. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nathan's family and to his extended soccer family: the North Carolina Fusion players, parents, and coaches. We find some solace knowing that a man has been charged in connection with this incident. However, we can only imagine the pain and sorrow the Clark family is experiencing in the wake of this tragedy. We respect their wishes for privacy during this difficult time."
Clark was an eighth grader at Calvary Baptist Day School in Winston-Salem. His soccer coach told ABC11 he was fun-loving, energetic, and brought a joy and a special spark to the soccer team.
"Heaven gained an amazing young man today. Nathan will be greatly missed by the whole Calvary soccer family. We love you Nathan," said Coach Kerth.
Vater is being held at the Wake County Detention Center. He will go before a judge Monday.
