'Something is clearly going on with this guy': Parent warns others after suspicious man seen in tactical gear at Raleigh park

Pictures sent to WRAL News show the man standing near a van with locks welded to its doors and strange writing on the tailgate.

On Wednesday, parents called the police, who spoke to the man but did not charge him with a crime.

“Something is clearly going on with the guy,” said a concerned parent, who did not want to be identified.

On Wednesday, the parent saw the man at the park. The parent said he saw the man grab a vest from his van and start putting things in his pocket.

There were religious writings on the back of the van, referring to a prophet. Something on the van doors also stood out.

“He has his passenger side doors bolted shut with welded-on padlocks,” the parent said. “This is red flag after red flag after red flag.”

The parent who spoke to WRAL News called 911. He was worried that kids in the park and nearby Joyner Elementary Magnet School could be put in danger. When someone from the school called 911, the operator said that others had also called with concerns.

Several officers showed up. They questioned the man with the van. At one point, the man sat in a child-sized chair as he talked with police.

“It had to be close to three hours by this point, and they let him go,” the parent told WRAL News.

In the end, Raleigh police filed no charges against the man. A day later, this parent told WRAL News that other kids reported seeing the man at a Raleigh trail.

“There is some frustration that he needs to be under some professional help and he should be monitored, absolutely,” the parent said.

WRAL News asked Raleigh police who the man was, how the case was being handled and whether there was a mental health response.

Police did not answer many of the questions that parents have in this situation, only telling WRAL News that they know the man’s identity and that there were no charges.

The parent who watched Wednesday’s events happen wanted to share the story so others were more aware of their surroundings.