A North Carolina woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly ambushing and shooting two attorneys outside the old Wake County courthouse in downtown Raleigh on Friday morning.
According to The Gateway Pundit, 57-year-old Gwendolyn White has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after authorities say she opened fire on attorneys Mary Harris and Jeffrey Whitley, both with the national law firm Fox Rothschild. The pair were representing the Rolesville Police Department in a civil matter involving officer body-camera footage that White claims is connected to her mothers death, and WRAL reports that White is the plaintiff in that case.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce told reporters that White had become disruptive during the court hearing, then left the building and returned with deadly intent. The suspect got out of the vehicle, approached the two victims, [and] shot both victims in broad daylight, he said, describing what appears to be a targeted attack on officers of the court.
Video from the scene shows White being led away in handcuffs as law enforcement swarmed the courthouse complex and locked down the building. The two attorneys were reportedly recovering in stable condition by Friday evening, a relief in an incident that could easily have turned into a double homicide.
Fox Rothschild, a prominent firm that has long represented local governments, issued a statement underscoring the gravity of the assault. We cannot adequately express our deep sadness and concern. The safety and well-being of our people is our highest priority, the firm said, signaling that even routine civil litigation now carries heightened risk.
The Town of Rolesville likewise condemned the shooting while noting the attorneys were outside contractors, not municipal employees. We are saddened to learn that two attorneys representing the Town of Rolesville in a civil matter were shot outside the Wake County Courthouse this morning. Fox Rothschild has represented the Town of Rolesville for decades, and while they are not employees of the Town, this incident is deeply disturbing, the town said.
Inside the courthouse, witnesses described a chaotic scene as gunfire shattered what should have been an ordinary day in court. One bystander recounted hearing shouting before multiple shots rang out, prompting sheriffs deputies to rush in and secure the building under lockdown.
The attack has rattled the legal community and raised fresh concerns about security in public institutions that already struggle with rising tensions and threats. Another defense attorney, Lee Turner, warned that the incident will change how lawyers view confrontations with clients, saying, Now, when you hear those threats, or you see someone arguing out in the lobby with their lawyer, which that does happen a lot, youve got to wonder, are they going to run out to their car and wait for that lawyer to walk out of the courthouse?
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