Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6–12: Shootings, Scandals & Arrests Across Triangle Region

RESEARCH TRIANGLE REGION, N.C. — The Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6–12 reveals a week marked by violent shootings, political scandals, and complex investigations across the Research Triangle Region and greater North Carolina. From Durham and Wake to Alamance and Orange counties, law enforcement agencies are seeking justice and reinforcing public-safety efforts.

ALAMANCE COUNTY

Burlington McDonald’s Worker Charged With Stealing Drive-Thru Customers’ Card Info (Oct. 11)

In this week’s Triangle Crime Report, a McDonald’s employee in Alamance County has been charged with 26 counts of identity theft after allegedly taking photos of customers’ credit cards at the W. Webb Avenue drive-thru. Police say Jacari Davonn Bunting, 19, of Graham, stole card information between Aug. 25 and Sept. 2. He was fired from his job, and investigators believe there may be additional victims.

Police Investigate Brawl After Person vs. Cummings High Football Game (Oct. 11)

Police are investigating a large fight involving players and coaches that broke out on the field after Friday night’s Person High vs. Cummings High School football game. Both the Alamance-Burlington School System and Person County Schools condemned the altercation, calling it inconsistent with their values of sportsmanship and respect. Authorities are seeking video of the brawl as they continue the investigation.

DURHAM COUNTY

Suspect Arrested in Durham Parking Garage Shooting (Oct. 6)

The Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6-12 continues. Durham Police have arrested 30-year-old Lemuel Merrell Allen in connection with a Sept. 14 shooting at a downtown Durham parking garage that left one man injured. Allen, charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, was taken into custody on Monday after a public search. He was released on a $50,000 bond and was due in Durham County Court on Tuesday.

Durham Woman Shot by Customer Picking Up Food Truck Order on South Alston Avenue (Oct. 7)

A Durham woman was shot while working at a food truck on South Alston Avenue Tuesday morning after a man arrived to pick up an order and suddenly opened fire, police said. The shooting happened around 7:17 a.m. near a convenience store in the 700 block of South Alston Avenue. The victim was shot in the back and taken to a hospital in stable condition. Another worker and a child were inside the truck but were not hurt. Police are still searching for the suspect and urge anyone with information to contact Durham CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200 or durhamcrimestoppers.org.

Suspect Wanted in Deadly Durham Nightclub Shooting (Oct. 9)

Durham police are conducting a manhunt for 20-year-old Santos Roberto Funes Escobar, wanted for first-degree murder after a shooting at La Morena Nightclub on Oct. 5. The victim, who was critically wounded, died nearly a week later. Escobar faces charges including first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, and discharging a weapon into occupied property. Police urge anyone with information to contact Investigator Bussell at 919-560-4440 ext. 29254 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.

Four People, Including Two Juveniles, Shot in Separate Durham Incidents (Oct. 10)

Durham Police are investigating two shootings that occurred Friday night, leaving four people injured, including two juveniles. The first shooting happened at the Oxford Manor housing complex, where three people were hurt — one critically. About an hour later, a man was shot at the Cornwallis Road public housing complex. Police have not released any suspect information, and both cases remain under investigation.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Franklin County Deputies Investigate Daylight Stabbing Near Youngsville (Oct. 11)

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a broad-daylight stabbing that occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, along Quail Drive, just southeast of Youngsville. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and was reported stable, alert, and talking, according to deputies. Authorities said the suspect is known to the victim, though no arrests had been made as of Sunday, while the investigation continues.

JOHNSTON COUNTY

Smithfield Man Arrested After Burglary Attempt (Oct. 9)

Deputies arrested John Stanley Creech, 21, after finding him at the scene of a burglary in progress on Bonnie Avenue. The Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6-12 confirms that investigators state he attempted to steal items from a barn and entered a pickup truck before being apprehended by the victim. Creech also had suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia on him. He’s charged with multiple felonies and held on a $60,000 bond.

Cary Man Surrenders After Sheetz Robbery in Johnston County (Oct. 9)

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office says Steve Darrel Sidney Jr., of Cary, has surrendered to authorities after being identified as the suspect in a weekend Sheetz robbery. The robbery occurred around 2:25 a.m. on Oct. 4 at the Sheetz on NC Highway 50 North in Garner, where Sidney allegedly implied he was armed and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. He turned himself in on Oct. 9 and is charged with common law robbery.

ORANGE COUNTY

Carrboro Police Launch Manhunt After Attempted Rape on Frances Shetley Bikeway (Oct. 9)

A manhunt is underway after a woman was attacked and nearly raped early Thursday morning while walking her dog on the Frances Shetley Bikeway in Carrboro. Police said the assault happened between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on the well-traveled path between North Greensboro and Shelton streets. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at UNC Hospitals. The suspect is described as a Black male, 5’6”–5’10”, about 40 years old, with a medium build, last seen wearing a gray hoodie and dark pants. Authorities are asking residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity as the search continues.

Felony Charge Filed in Orange County Road Rage Shooting; Woman Held on $10,000 Bond (Oct. 10)

An Orange County woman, identified as Samantha Russo, now faces a felony charge after allegedly pointing and firing a gun during a road rage incident on Lebanon Road in Efland. Originally charged with a misdemeanor, Russo’s charge was upgraded following a review by Sheriff Charles Blackwood and a legal advisor. Witnesses told deputies Russo exited a car driven by Nicholas Howe, pointed a gun at another vehicle, and later fired two shots into the air. Russo was arrested Friday night and is being held on a $10,000 bond. Howe faces separate charges of aggressive driving and driving with an open container.

WAKE COUNTY

Wake County Man Charged With Sex Crimes Against Child (Oct. 8)

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Antonio Mondragon, 56, in connection with sex crimes involving a juvenile in southern Wake County. Investigators say the case began with a report filed on Aug. 12, leading to charges of two counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of soliciting a child by computer. Mondragon was taken into custody Tuesday and is being held at the Wake County Detention Center under a $75,000 bond.

Raleigh Man Arrested for Spraying Blood on Hospital Staff, Exposing Workers to HIV (Oct. 8)

A Raleigh man, 25-year-old Kameron Gilchrist, faces two felony assault charges after allegedly spraying blood into the eyes of two UNC Health Rex employees during a violent outburst on March 21, 2025. The workers suffered irritation and possible HIV exposure, prompting months of investigation while Gilchrist underwent medical and psychiatric care. Police arrested him nearly six months later, on Sept. 11, and he is now held on a $25,000 bond. UNC Health Rex condemned the attack, citing growing national concerns about violence against health care workers.

WAYNE COUNTY

Goldsboro Man Dies After Late-Night Shooting on Sherard Court (Oct. 11)

Goldsboro police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of Sherard Court. Officers found 29-year-old Da’Shaun Tyree Webb suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Webb was first taken to UNC Health Wayne, then transferred to ECU Health Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. The Investigative Services Bureau and Crime Scene Unit are handling the case, which remains under active investigation.

AROUND THE STATE

Fiber Lines Cut in ‘Malicious Vandalism’ Causing Widespread Internet Outage in Moore County (Oct. 12)

Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6–12 has confirmed that thousands of Charter Spectrum customers in Moore County were left without internet service on Sunday after fiber-optic lines were intentionally cut along Old Morgantown Road in Southern Pines. Officials described the act as “malicious vandalism” and warned that the outage could disrupt access to 9-1-1 services. The outage spans Pinehurst, Seven Lakes, and Carthage, with crews working to restore service. No arrests have been made, and investigators are continuing to search for the person responsible.

NC Rep. Cecil Brockman Charged with Sex Crimes Involving Teen; Bond Set at $1M (Oct. 10)

GREENSBORO, N.C. — State Rep. Cecil Brockman of High Point appeared in court from a hospital bed Friday after being charged with sex crimes involving a 15-year-old. He faces two counts each of statutory sexual offense with a child and taking indecent liberties with a child. A judge set his bond at $1.05 million and ordered him not to contact the victim. Prosecutors say Brockman met the teen through an online app and later tried to track the victim’s location. Gov. Josh Stein and other leaders have called for his resignation.

Kenly Woman Charged With 190 Insurance and Identity Theft Crimes (Oct. 9)

WILSON COUNTY, N.C. — A Kenly woman faces 190 charges after a six-month investigation uncovered a massive fraud scheme involving fake medical records, stolen identities, and illegal drug sales. Heather Ann Robinson, 37, was arrested on 86 counts of insurance fraud, 46 counts of identity theft, 38 counts of obtaining property by false pretense, and 20 counts of practicing medicine without a license, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance. Investigators say Robinson filed fraudulent claims totaling over $244,000, stole identities to open credit accounts and withdraw retirement funds, and illegally obtained and sold GLP-1 weight-loss medications. She surrendered to the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 8 and was released on a $100,000 bond.

CONCLUSION

From Durham’s string of shootings to political and white-collar scandals across the state, this Triangle Crime Report Oct. 6–12 underscores both the scope and complexity of North Carolina’s criminal landscape. Law enforcement agencies continue to seek leads, make arrests, and urge residents to help keep their communities safe.