Gunfire erupted Friday morning in downtown Raleigh near the courthouse district, leaving two people shot.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, officers rushed to the 300 block of Fayetteville Street near the Wake County Courthouse on Friday, May 22, 2026, after reports of shots fired in the heart of downtown.
Their conditions have not yet been released publicly. The shooting occurred in an alley beside the Wake County Courthouse, between Fayetteville and Salisbury Streets.
Witnesses described seeing a massive police presence flood the area as officers secured streets surrounding Fayetteville Street, a major downtown corridor packed with government offices, attorneys, courthouse employees, businesses, and pedestrians during the late morning rush.
Authorities say at least one suspect is currently in custody.
Around 10:50 a.m., Raleigh police issued a public alert warning residents and workers to stay away from the area while officers investigated the shooting scene. Multiple streets near the courthouse complex were temporarily blocked off as detectives and crime scene investigators combed through evidence.
As of Friday afternoon, investigators still have not revealed what led to the shooting, whether the victims knew each other, or if additional suspects may be involved.
Police continue asking the public to avoid the Fayetteville Street area as the investigation remains ongoing.
