'He is our hero': Colleague describes how attorney killed in Goldsboro murder-suicide ambushed shooter in daring act

The Goldsboro Police Department has identified the attorney killed Monday afternoon in a murder-suicide at Riddle & Brantley law firm.

According to the incident report, attorney Patrick White, 42, of Raleigh, was killed after an argument at the law firm on Spence Avenue in Goldsboro.

On Tuesday, a Riddle & Brantley representative said there was no argument as police previously stated. Founder and Managing Partner Gene Riddle spoke with WRAL reporter Chelsea Donovan, describing a chaotic scene and sharing his account of what happened, with White sacrificing himself and Riddle being the intended target of the shooting.

"Patrick is our savior," Riddle said. "He is our hero. It is the way he lived his entire life.”

Riddle said White was representing a husband and wife and asked him for help on the case. The shooter, Francisco Cazarin Sanchez, was a client and came to the office with his wife around 9:30 a.m. for a mediation.

Riddle said there were no warning signs early in the session.

Later in the day around 4 p.m., Riddle said he and White left the room to give the wife and Sanchez time to talk at their request. They went into the attorneys quarters, about 12 to 15 feet away from the couple.

“The next thing I know, I see a figure come into the attorneys quarters and I hear a loud shot, and the glass breaking, I knew he had shot, I saw the gun," Riddle said. "Patrick was close to him.

“The next two shots were fired directly at me (Riddle). I thought, there is no way I didn’t get shot. I tried to dodge the bullet, and I tripped and I fell back into my office. Then, I got up and I saw that the shooter had drawn his attention to Patrick.

"Patrick yelled his name to stop and pushed him against the wall, and within seconds there was another gunshot and Patrick fell to the ground."

Riddle was overcome with emotion while describing White's actions and moved to tears several times while recalling his account of what happened.

"Patrick was saving us," Riddle said.

Riddle eventually went to check on White and called 911. He said the entire ordeal happened in less than 30 seconds. Riddle recalled five shots being fired. He then heard another shot and saw Sanchez lying on the floor.

“I went back to check on Patrick, and thought, 'God help him,'" Riddle said. "I knew he was gone.”

Officers responded around 4:15 p.m. Police said they found two men dead from gunshot wounds.

"When they came, I was really surprised at what was going on, but I knew it was something serious, because when they came out of their cars they already had their guns out. And they were walking over there guns out," said one witness. "I just feel like certain things could have been avoided, things could have been prevented and maybe they could have talked it over, I don't know. I don't know what was going on on the inside, I don't know how he got his gun on the inside, maybe they should have more security or something.".

Riddle & Brantley is a personal injury law firm with offices throughout eastern North Carolina.

The firm released a statement about White on Tuesday afternoon:

"Patrick was a skilled lawyer and a devoted, loving husband and father. His strong work ethic and dedication to excellence were coupled with genuine warmth and kindness. Patrick’s commitment to the service of others and engaging personality endeared him to all. In his passing, Patrick displayed selfless courage in the face of unprovoked senseless violence. His heroic, decisive intervention averted further tragedy. The firm sincerely appreciates the overwhelming output of love and support we have received from friends and the community."

According to his biography on Riddle & Brantley's website, White has practiced law since 2005. As a personal injury attorney, White largely handled cases involving car crashes. White lives in northwest Raleigh, according to the report. A source told WRAL News that White had a wife and two young children.

Flowers were laid outside the law firm on Tuesday morning, and a vigil was held there at noon.

The North Carolina State Bar acknowledged the tragedy, releasing a statement that said "The State Bar is in communication with the law firm to assist in any way we can. The entire Bar sends its deepest condolences to the lawyer’s family, his law firm colleagues, the Goldsboro and Raleigh legal communities, and to all who are personally affected by this senseless act of violence."