Gun used in deadly Raleigh shooting was purchased for someone else

Federal court documents show the gun used in a deadly shooting in Raleigh was obtained in a so-called "straw purchase," meaning someone legally purchased a gun for someone else who is not allowed to own one.

On Feb. 5, 24-year-old Amari Goss was shot several times along the 1300 block of Poole Road. Goss was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

J'marree Andrel Smith, 20, was charged with murder. A 14-year-old also faces a murder charge in connection with the shooting, but few details were provided about what happened due to the teenager's age.

The U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday said investigators obtained video from the Jan. 20 Dixie Gun and Knife show in Raleigh, where the gun used in the deadly shooting was purchased.

According to charging documents, Ever Arroyo Gasga, 24, allegedly purchased two firearms at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show for Anselmo Arroyo Gonzalez, 49, and Jimmy Arroyo Maldonado,18, who both were unable to legally purchase firearms themselves.

According to federal prosecutors, Gonzalez is prohibited from legally purchasing guns becaues he's a Mexican citizen who does not have legal status in the U.S. He was previously deported form the U.S. to Mexico in November 2016, federal prosecutors said.

Maldonado is prohibited from legally purchasing firearms because he is under indictment by state authorities for felony offenses, including felony fleeing to elude arrest, according to prosecutors.

Gasga, Gonzalez and Maldonado face charges of aiding and abetting, conspiracy and straw purchasing firearms.

Investigators said surveillance video shows Arroyo Maldonado count out cash and hand it to Gonzalez who then handed it to Gasga to purchase the Glock Model 23 from a dealer.

They say he filled out all the paperwork claiming to be the actual buyer.

The gun was used in the Feb. 5 shooting only weeks later.

U.S. Attorney Michael Easley, Jr., said the short time frame allowed investigators to find security camera video recording the fraudulent sale.

"When we see a gun that is used in a violent crime with a short time to crime, it’s a good indication that there may be more to the story," Easley said.

Straw purchases are a federal crime.

"These are people who do not want to be associated with a firearm, so they’re often people who are intending to commit crimes," said Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence Policy Director Lindsay Nichols.

Easley echoed Nichols' sentiments.

"Anybody who is straw purchasing on behalf of a prohibited person, who is not allowed to own a gun, will be prosecuted because they’re creating a very dangerous potential situation," Easley said.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed by President Joe Biden in 2022 now allows prosecutors to go after these straw purchases.