Full Breakdown
Raleigh Courthouse Shooting: Attorneys Wounded After Civil Hearing
5/23/2026, 4:48:55 AM
Shooting Outside Wake County Courthouse
On May 22, 2026, at about 10:30 a.m., 57-year-old Gwendolyn White shot attorneys Mary Harris and Jeffrey Whitley outside the old Wake County Courthouse on Fayetteville Street after a civil hearing. Police say White left the courtroom, retrieved a handgun from her car, approached the attorneys in an alley, and fired. Both victims were taken to a hospital; their conditions have not been released. White was taken into custody, transported to a local hospital, and faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Background to the Civil Dispute
The attorneys represented the Town of Rolesville and its police department in a long-running dispute over body-camera video from a 2021 incident. White filed the suit in 2022; a judge dismissed it in January 2026, and the May hearing was scheduled to consider reinstatement. White has claimed the video is linked to her mother’s death, making the hearing emotionally charged.
Official Statements & Responses
Police chief Rico Boyce said the suspect became belligerent in court and was taken into custody after officers found her with a handgun. Fox Rothschild managing partner Todd A. Rodriguez expressed condolences for the injured attorneys and praised first responders. The Town of Rolesville issued a statement noting sadness, thanking responders, and offering thoughts and prayers.
Criticism & Opposition
Witness Securia Stedman called the incident “very wild” and unsettling, while defense attorney Lee Turner noted that “a lot of people are not happy when their cases don’t turn out the way they want it to,” highlighting tension surrounding contentious civil litigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When deputies and officers came out of the courthouse, they encountered an adult female who was in possession of a handgun. That female was taken into custody,” — Rico Boyce, Raleigh Police Chief
- “This is very wild, especially with it happening while we were in family court,” — Securia Stedman, courthouse witness
- “Rodriguez, Fox Rothschild's firmwide managing partner, said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with our colleagues and their loved ones.” — Todd A. Rodriguez, Fox Rothschild managing partner
- “We are saddened to learn that two attorneys representing the Town of Rolesville in a civil matter were shot outside the Wake County Courthouse this morning. Fox Rothschild has represented the Town of Rolesville for decades, and while they are not employees of the Town, this incident is deeply disturbing. We are thankful to the first responders who provided life-saving care and apprehended a suspect. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.” — Town of Rolesville statement
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Authorities have not released the medical conditions of Harris and Whitley, nor the reason for White’s hospitalization. No motive for the shooting has been disclosed, and investigators have provided limited details about the events leading up to the attack.
Why It Matters
The incident raises concerns about security in courthouses handling emotionally charged civil cases and may influence how law-enforcement agencies protect legal professionals during proceedings.
What’s Next
Prosecutors will pursue the attempted-murder charges and may consider additional counts. The underlying civil lawsuit over body-camera footage remains pending further court action. Law-enforcement agencies are reviewing courthouse security protocols while the investigation continues to determine the full circumstances of the shooting.
