Two attorneys representing the Rolesville Police Department are expected to be OK after they were shot outside the old Wake County courthouse in downtown Raleigh on Friday morning.
Gwendolyn White, 57, of Raleigh, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shootings of Mary Harris and Jeffrey Whitley. Harris is an associate and Whitley counsel for Fox Rothschild, a national law firm with offices in Raleigh.
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Harris' father told WRAL News on Friday that his daughter was in stable condition and recovering from surgery.
Court records show the Fox Rothschild attorneys were representing Rolesville Police in a 4-year-old case involving officer-worn body camera video. Court filings show the hearing emotional for White because she claims the contents of the video were linked to her mother's death last year.
"The suspect became belligerent in court," Raleigh Chief of Police Rico Boyce said.
After White left the courthouse, Boyce said, she returned to her car, got a handgun and shot at the attorneys as they exited the building.
>> Chaos at the courthouse: Woman shot 2 attorneys, police say
Police quickly took White into custody.
The Town of Rolesville issued a statement as police continued to investigate the shooting, saying,
"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."
Officials with Fox Rothschild's Firmwide also released a statement following the shooting, saying,
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with our colleagues and their loved ones. We are doing everything possible to support them. We are grateful to the first responders and courthouse personnel who acted quickly to come to their aid. We cannot adequately express our deep sadness and concern. The safety and well-being of our people is our highest priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and our leadership team traveled to our Raleigh office today to provide on-the-ground support."
Local officials react to downtown Raleigh shooting
Reaction is pouring in from several local and state officials following Friday’s shooting.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said White’s charges are the “beginning of the judicial process,” adding the district attorney’s office is working “diligently to seek justice in the matter.”
“I am grateful for the quick work of law enforcement in responding to this incident and mitigating further harm. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Our courts are designed to be the place in our society where conflict is addressed in a peaceful and constructive way. When violence becomes part of that process, not only is it tragic for those involved, but it creates harm to our collective ability to live in community. Unfortunately, threats against the courts, judges and attorneys have become too common,” the statement read in part.
Incoming District Attorney Wiley Nickel also said the courthouse “should be a safe place for victims, witnesses, law enforcement, court employees, and all those seeking justice.”
“Wake County is growing rapidly, and we need to do much more to invest in public safety, including additional officers downtown and around the courthouse,” his statement read in part.
Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on this morning’s shooting near the Wake County Courthouse:
“My thoughts are with the victims of this morning’s shooting and their families. I also want to express my support for my staff, who were working nearby, and my constituents in downtown Raleigh who witnessed this traumatic event. I am grateful to the first responders and Wake County law enforcement who arrived on the scene quickly and were able to prevent further tragedy. While this shooting hits close to home for us in Raleigh, it is unfortunately one of far too many attacks across our country made more dangerous by the presence of a firearm. No one should have to go to work or live their daily lives in fear of being shot. I will continue fighting in Congress for common-sense gun safety measures and to ensure our state and local authorities have the resources they need to keep us safe.”