Police Cast Wider Net in Search for Deacon's Slayer

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh investigators believe robbery could have been the motive in the fatal shooting of a 74-year-old church deacon who was attacked outside his home Tuesday night.

Thursday, they expanded their plea for information, asking people to call police at 919-890-3555 or Crime Stoppers at 919-226-CRIME if they have information about robberies or attempted robberies in the Wallingford Drive area where Richard Gus Brown was slain.

They also put up posters at local stores in an effort to generate leads.

"We know that there have been 11 robberies since Aug. 1 in that wide general area," Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said. The neighborhood is off Spring Forest Road between Capital Boulevard and Louisburg Road.

Brown had returned from church to his apartment shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday and was checking his mail when someone shot him.

Investigators spent hours examining the scene on Tuesday and Wednesday and canvassed the neighborhood Thursday looking for evidence.

Meanwhile, neighbors reeled from Brown's death, which has shocked the apartment community.

"I was here by myself, so I was a little nervous – and to see everything right out my window," neighbor Tamara Squires said.

Residents of the Wallingford Drive apartment complex said they have experienced very little crime in their neighborhood, but fear Brown's death has changed that.

"It could happen anywhere, so you have to be nervous anywhere you are," said resident Patrick Hand. "I just never thought it would happen in this neighborhood."

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I live near that neighborhood, on Hollenden Drive. The whole area is gang-saturated. Raleigh would be well-served by leveling those apartment buildings and replacing them with high-end homes and townhomes, just like Kane Realty did for the North Hills Mall area.

sylviapscott
October 26, 2007 12:41 p.m.

Crimes against the elderly, children, and other helpless people cry out for tough enforcement of the law. May the perpetrators be caught swiftly.

DavidJonathan
October 26, 2007 11:29 a.m.

I grew up in Raleigh and never heard of someone being shot checking their mail. One of the most senseless murders in Wake County.

seenenuf
October 26, 2007 9:48 a.m.

This was senseless...so sorry for his community and family to have to know his life ended this way. The picture shows a man happy with life, and we are left with the person who did this crime...

What can the police do except follow up after a crime has been committed? It is up to the citizens to watch out for their communities and stop acting as if they are an island, looking out for self instead of neighbors.

I lived in Alaska where we had to look before we went outside to make sure moose were not in the yard; now I live in NC and have to look to make sure the parking lot is okay before I leave the store, the house, the Church...it is sad, but a sign of the times. May everyone learn to be aware of their surroundings before they go to get the mail or walk out of the store...

Gnathostomata
October 26, 2007 9:46 a.m.

I grew up in that part of Raleigh. Attended West Millbrook. Used to walk to school through grassy meadows and woodlands. Not a care in the world and I'd play outside all afternoon until it got dark.

What a shame. I suppose this is just one more "advantage" to all the unchecked and irresponsible growth in our county over the past 10 years.

Mr. French
October 26, 2007 9:39 a.m.