North Carolina Woman Accused of Shooting Two Attorneys Outside Raleigh Courthouse After Civil Hearing

RALEIGH, N.C. (BuzzReport) — A North Carolina woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she opened fire on two attorneys outside a courthouse following a contentious civil hearing connected to the Rolesville Police Department.

According to investigators, 57-year-old Gwendolyn White was arrested Friday and charged with attempted first-degree murder after the shooting outside the Wake County Courthouse in Raleigh.

Police say White had attended a court hearing earlier in the day involving a lawsuit she filed against the Rolesville Police Department. The case reportedly stemmed from a 2021 dispute involving neighbors and her efforts to obtain police body-camera footage related to the incident.

Authorities allege tensions escalated during the hearing when White became disruptive inside the courtroom. Investigators said she later exited the courthouse, went to her vehicle, retrieved a firearm, and waited for the attorneys representing the police department to leave the building.

As the attorneys exited the courthouse, police say White opened fire, striking both victims.

The injured attorneys were identified as Mary Harris and Jeffery Whitley, both with the law firm Fox Rothschild. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene and transported the victims to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Officials said Harris underwent surgery following the shooting, while Whitley was reported to be in stable condition. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the extent of their injuries.

Law enforcement officers secured the area shortly after the gunfire erupted in downtown Raleigh, leading to White’s arrest without further incident. Investigators recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.

The violent attack has sent shockwaves through North Carolina’s legal community, raising renewed concerns about courthouse security and escalating hostility surrounding civil litigation and disputes involving law enforcement agencies.

Court records indicate White had been attempting to revive legal claims connected to the earlier neighborhood dispute and alleged police misconduct. Officials have not released further details about the status of the lawsuit or what specifically occurred during Friday’s hearing that preceded the shooting.

Authorities say the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be filed as prosecutors continue reviewing evidence and witness statements.

White is currently being held in custody pending further court proceedings.