WRAL News is learning more about how a shooting nearly a month earlier at a Raleigh mall played out.
Marcus Neal, the 18-year-old suspect in the shooting on April 17 at Triangle Town Center that hurt three people, including two teenagers, made his first court appearance on Tuesday. He was arrested and charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon the day before.
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According to Wake County prosecutors, three teens went to the mall in hoodies and black masks to assault Trayshawn Hedgpeth, who worked at the mall. During the altercation, prosecutors said Hedgpeth pulled a handgun from the kiosk he worked at and "someone" fired a shot during the struggle.
Prosecutors then said Neal, who was not involved in the initial fight, shot his gun seven times, attempting to get the teens off of Hedgpeth. Three of the shots hit Hedgepeth, while two of the teens were shot twice.
Prosecutors added that Neal was at the mall because he was also an employee.
Neal's attorney argued that he only shot his gun because he was trying to protect Hedgpeth. However, a judge ruled Neal will stay in jail while his court case proceeds.
"This is a dangerous situation,” the judge said. “There's nothing that you could convince me that someone who retrieves a firearm and shoots multiple people at 3:30 p.m. in a public mall could be ensuring the safety of the public.”
Neal's next hearing is on June 2.