Key Takeaways
- A Raleigh man shot an ax-wielding attacker, Emmanuel Graham, during a domestic dispute, and will not face charges, according to police.
- Graham attacked another man with a weapon, prompting a neighbor to intervene with a handgun after warning him multiple times.
- The Wake County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the incident and deemed the neighbor’s actions justified under North Carolina law.
- Witnesses reported that Graham chased the bleeding victim, demonstrating immediate danger, which justified the use of deadly force.
- Neighbors expressed relief and gratitude for the neighbor’s quick response in preventing further harm.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh man who grabbed a handgun and shot an ax-wielding attacker will not face charges, police said Wednesday.
Officers responded just before 11 a.m. Tuesday to the 100 block of Summit Avenue in south Raleigh. They found 39-year-old Emmanuel Graham with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Graham was taken to a hospital, where he died.
A second man at the scene had serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the assault.
Police say Graham and the other man were in a domestic relationship and had been arguing. The fight turned physical. Graham struck the man with a weapon and kept attacking him as the victim tried to flee toward Summit Avenue.
That is when a neighbor stepped in.
According to police, an uninvolved witness saw the attack, believed the victim was in immediate danger, retrieved a handgun and fired.
A witness who asked to stay anonymous told CBS17 the bleeding victim ran up first with Graham right behind him. “He had a pole and an axe and was clearly chasing the first guy,” the witness said.
The neighbor got out of his car and ordered Graham to drop the weapon, the witness said. Graham did not stop. The neighbor, who the witness said holds a carry permit, fired and ended the attack.
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The shooter stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers. He told CBS17 he was not ready to comment.
The Wake County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the witness statements, video and physical evidence and declined to bring charges against the resident.
This is what lawful armed defense looks like. A man watched a neighbor being beaten with an ax, gave a clear warning, and acted only when the threat would not stop. In North Carolina, deadly force is justified to protect another person from an imminent threat of death or serious harm. The DA’s review confirmed he was within his rights.
Neighbors said they are glad he was there. One told CBS17 he was happy to have him next door.
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