RALEIGH, NC — A quiet Thursday evening turned deadly when gunfire erupted in a Raleigh neighborhood, leaving 38-year-old Alana Enoicy fatally wounded in what police are calling a targeted attack. The Raleigh Police Department has arrested 65-year-old Keith L. Atkinson, charging him with murder and possession of a stolen firearm in connection with the shooting.
The incident unfolded around 7:56 p.m. in the 1800 block of Cantwell Court, where officers responding to reports of gunshots found Enoicy suffering from a critical gunshot wound. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the victim succumbed to her injuries hours later. Crime scene technicians marked multiple evidence points along the residential street as detectives worked through the night.
Court records reveal Atkinson had prior arrests for property crimes but no recent violent offenses. Investigators are now piecing together the relationship between suspect and victim, with neighbors reporting they’d seen frequent arguments between the two in recent weeks. “This wasn’t some random act—these people knew each other,” said one longtime Cantwell Court resident who asked to remain anonymous.
The stolen firearm charge suggests authorities believe the weapon used in the homicide was illegally obtained. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman emphasized the gravity of the charges, noting North Carolina’s enhanced penalties for crimes committed with stolen guns. Atkinson remains held without bond at the Wake County Detention Center pending his first court appearance.
Enoicy’s death marks Raleigh’s 12th homicide this year, continuing a troubling upward trend in violent crime. Community activists plan a candlelight vigil this weekend, while police urge anyone with information to contact their tip line anonymously. The victim’s family has established a memorial fund to cover funeral expenses through local BB&T branches.
