Teen accused of firing shots at Raleigh Wingstop caught after chase, officials say

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Following a high-speed chase, an arrest was made Thursday after shots were fired at a Wingstop in Raleigh earlier this week, police said.

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According to the Raleigh Police Department, officers responded on Wednesday just after noon to a report of a shooting at a strip mall in the 4500 block of New Bern Avenue.

An investigation determined several shots were fired into a Wingstop at the strip mall before the suspect fled the scene, according to Raleigh police.

Police said no injuries were reported.

The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Maxwell Ashton Franks, according to Raleigh police.

According to warrants filed by Raleigh police, Franks is accused of shooting at the Wingstop while at least one person was inside, as well as firing at two occupied vehicles.

The warrants show the intended target was one of the people inside a vehicle that was hit by gunfire.

Franks also allegedly conspired with three unidentified individuals, according to the warrants.

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According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Franks was found by deputies on Thursday at 3:44 p.m. while traveling around 100 mph. on N.C. 55.

Frank fled from the deputies, causing at least one crash during the chase, before he was taken into custody, deputies said.

Police said Franks is facing the following charges in connection with the shots fired incident:

• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury
• Three counts of felony conspiracy
• 14 counts of discharging a weapon into occupied property
• Going armed to the terror of people
• Discharging a firearm in city limits

A warrant filed by the sheriff’s office shows Franks is facing the following charges in the chase:

• Fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle
• Felony possession of marijuana
• Speeding
• Reckless driving with wanton disregard
• Resisting a public officer
• No operator’s license
• Failure to heed light/siren

“The Raleigh Police Department extends its appreciation to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in locating the suspect and taking him into custody,” Raleigh police said in a statement. “This case highlights the strong partnership between our agencies and our shared commitment to protecting the community and holding violent offenders accountable.”

According to records, Franks made his first appearance in Wake County court Friday afternoon. He was given a $20,000 secured bond on the conspiracy charges and a $10,000 secured bond on the chase charges, but denied bond on the shots fired charges.

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Franks is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 20, according to records.