Woman accused of shooting two lawyers near Wake County Courthouse threatened medical facility, warrants show

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Newly released search warrant documents reveal the woman accused of shooting two attorneys outside the Wake County Courthouse had previously been the subject of a police advisory tied to alleged threats against a medical facility and concerns about her mental health.

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According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by CBS 17, investigators said Gwendolyn White, 57, had “recently been documented in a Patrol Advisory” after allegedly placing a phone call to a medical facility “with threats to carry out a shooting.”

The affidavit further states White was “believed to be experiencing severe mental crisis” and had “an extensive mental health history documented with the Raleigh Police Department.”

The warrant does not identify the medical facility involved, specify when the alleged threats were made, or provide additional details about White’s documented mental health history.

White is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with Friday’s shooting outside the Wake County Courthouse in downtown Raleigh.

According to investigators, officers responded around 10:30 a.m. Friday to the 300 block of Fayetteville Street near the courthouse. Police said attorneys Jeffrey Whitley and Mary Harris, both with the law firm Fox Rothschild, suffered gunshot wounds during the attack and were transported to a hospital. Authorities later said both attorneys are expected to recover.

Court records show Whitley and Harris were representing the Town of Rolesville in an ongoing civil dispute involving White at the time of the shooting.

The newly released affidavit states investigators believe the shooting occurred shortly after a hearing connected to that case.

According to the document, White had previously filed civil action against the town and had just left a hearing before investigators said she retrieved a firearm from her vehicle parked near the courthouse.

Investigators wrote that surveillance cameras captured White jogging toward the attorneys as they walked through an alleyway near the courthouse before allegedly opening fire.

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The affidavit also states a federal agent confronted White moments after the shooting and took her into custody at the scene.

Search warrant documents show investigators later searched White’s Raleigh residence on Nurture Avenue for evidence connected to the shooting and any possible planning or premeditation.

According to an inventory attached to the warrant return, officers seized two rifles, flash drives, files and documents, a notebook and photographs from the home.

The search warrant states investigators were seeking firearms, electronic devices, documents, photographs and other evidence potentially connected to the shooting.

Earlier court records show White’s legal dispute with Rolesville dated back to 2021 following an altercation involving neighbors and the Rolesville Police Department.

The case remained active through multiple filings made by White, who was representing herself in court.

During White’s first court appearance on Tuesday morning, Judge Rasha A. Hauter ordered her to be held without bond. She is expected to appear in court again on June 15.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Raleigh Police Department and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.

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