‘Extremely concerning.’ 6 incidents of cars shot at on I-40 in Raleigh in three days
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Police reopened Interstate 40 to regular traffic Wednesday afternoon, hours after a bullet struck a vehicle during the early morning commute in Raleigh.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, officers responded at around 4:58 a.m. to I-40 near Chapel Hill Road. During the investigation, additional victims told officers that their vehicles were also hit by gunfire shortly following the first report, police said.
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This comes two days after police said a person was shot in the leg on I-40 near Chapel Hill Road.
In a 4:30 p.m. press conference held at the Raleigh Emergency Operations Center, Deputy Chief Rico Boyce said in total, there have been six separate incidents which led to cars, and one person, being struck by gunfire.
The first two incidents took place on Monday, Boyce said. An initial shooting in the morning injured a woman who was shot in the leg on I-40 near Chapel Hill Road. The second that day happened in the afternoon during which a single car was struck on I-40 near Buck Jones Road.
The remaining four incidents of shots fired on I-40 happened on Wednesday. Boyce said at 4:58 a.m., police were called to I-40 and Chapel Hill Road where a car had been hit. Three other occurrences took place shorty after the initial call in the same area, damaging multiple cars.
To date, only one person has been injured in the string of incidents. Raleigh police believe some of the incidents are connected.
Boyce said the events are "extremely concerning" and that they are being taken seriously.
Additional information provided by Boyce Wednesday afternoon is that the weapon used in these incidents is believed to be a handgun. Investigators also are looking for any information dash cam video that may help them narrow down their suspect search.
Drivers are on the edge, including Anissa Williams, who commutes from Greensboro to Raleigh every day.
"I was shocked this was taking place," she said. "I'm feeling a little worried about it. I want to know what it's motivated by."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Raleigh Police Department at 919-996-3335, or visit Crimestoppers online and click on "Leave a Tip" in the top right corner of the page.
