Campus police: N.C. State shooting gang-related

Raleigh, N.C. — Campus police said Tuesday that a shooting on the North Carolina State University early Monday was gang-related.

Ryan Alexander Barnes, 20, Leroy Barnes Jr., 19, and Terrell Maurice Grimes, 16, have been charged with attempted murder and two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

A man and woman were sitting underneath a gazebo on Gorman Street, near the student apartments of Wolf Village, early Monday when a gunman approached and fired at them, police said.

The man was hit in the stomach and the woman in the foot. Both were taken to WakeMed for treatment of their injuries.

Capt. Jon Barnwell of the N.C. State Police said the man was the target of the shooting, which initially was thought to be a random crime.

"We've got gang affiliation with the individuals involved in this incident, and ... it was a targeted act of violence," Barnwell said.

Investigators determined a dispute between competing factions of the Crips street gang prompted the shooting, he said.

University police said that Ryan Barnes is a rising junior at N.C. State. The other two suspects, as well as the two victims, aren't affiliated with the university, police said.

Barnwell said photos on Ryan Barnes' Facebook page show gang colors and gang signs.

The three suspects were being held Tuesday in the Wake County Jail under $1 million bonds.

The shooting marks the second case of gang-related violence in Raleigh in recent days.

On Saturday night, a melee involving up to 300 people occurred at the Triangle Town Center mall. Police said gang signs were flashed by some of the youths initially involved in fights that later escalated into a brawl that forced the mall to close early.

Seven people have been charged with inciting a riot and other offenses in connection with the incident.

"I think it's too early to say that there's a trend, something that's going to continue to happen in public places," Barnwell said.

Police Chief Harry Dolan on Monday called Raleigh's gang problem "significant" and said the community needs to pull together to address the issue.

Barnwell said he agrees with Raleigh police that local gang activity is increasing.

"(It's) primarily Bloods and Crips we see in this area, and they have subsets of each group," he said.

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Latest Comments

Hang it there, Monique and the family. I am keeping you in my prayers. I have known Ryan since he was a kid in the neighborhood. He was always a great kid. It is sad that he is connected to this situation. I pray that he can be vindicated.

For those who do not know, Ryan earned his way to NC State based on his abilities. He comes from a long line of educators. Do not pass judgement based on the fact that he is black.

trooperooh
August 1, 2008 1:29 p.m.

Oh this issue has nothing to do with lack of discipline. Parents can discipline and direct their children in the right direction but if they want to go astray they are going to. They might not do it under the roof of their parents, or to their knowledge, but it will be done if they want to do it. So sometimes it depends on the will of the child to want to do what they know is wrong.

mojomonique
July 31, 2008 4:20 p.m.

"When they were caught, all they had to say as to the reasons for the attacks was they attack me and this other gentleman was that we were white."

But you'll never hear about crimes like that on the news. Only white people attack blacks because of race, right?

fletchermse
July 30, 2008 12:34 p.m.

Well, there ya go!

Tired_of_LIBERALS
July 30, 2008 7:45 a.m.

The problem is that parents has lost control over their kids. They do not discipline them and let them do whatever they want too. Society has parents terrified to discipline their kids by allowing social service to step in for every little thing. Instead of letting parents do what they need to do to control their kids as long as it is not life threatening. Now you have these out of control gang bangers doing what they want too. I am a parent of a boy and I will do what I need to in order to keep him out of trouble and in school.

kbo0801
July 29, 2008 9:20 p.m.