Armed & Dangerous: 17-Year-Old Wanted After Domestic Dispute Ends in Gunfire Near Chapel Hill

CHAPEL HILL, NC – Authorities are searching for a 17-year-old suspect accused of firing multiple gunshots at a woman during a domestic dispute before fleeing the scene. The teen, who faces felony charges for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and kidnapping, is now the target of a manhunt led by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Apprehension Task Force.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Chapel Hill Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance around 11 a.m. Thursday on Dragonfly Trail, just south of Chapel Hill. Witnesses reported a heated argument between the suspect and a woman. When she attempted to leave, the teen allegedly retrieved a firearm from inside the house and opened fire before retreating back inside.

Law enforcement officials, suspecting he was still inside and armed, evacuated nearby residents and called in a tactical response team. The Alamance Sheriff’s Office Bearcat Armored Transport Unit was deployed, and authorities used an interior drone to search the home. However, it was later determined that the suspect had escaped before officers secured the perimeter.

The teen now faces serious charges, including domestic violence, assault on a female, and injury to personal property. Due to his juvenile status, his name has not been released.

Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood emphasized the importance of law enforcement collaboration in this high-risk operation, stating that specialized equipment and teamwork were critical in ensuring public safety.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement immediately as the search continues.

Photo: Alamance County Sheriff’s Office