Man who shot at Raleigh police set fire to his Knightdale home before chase, police say
A man arrested after leading Raleigh police on a chase then shooting at them Thursday set his home on fire in Knightdale earlier in the day, the Knightdale Police Department said.
The police pursuit resulted in Willie Jerome Daniels, 39, causing a crash that closed the intersection of New Bern Avenue and New Hope Road, a major city intersection, until about 5:25 p.m. Thursday night.
Raleigh police said Daniels is charged with: two counts of attempted first degree murder, three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, one count of larceny of motor vehicle, one count of felony breaking and entering with intent to terrorize, one count of felony fleeing to elude, and four counts of attempted first degree murder.
Knightdale police said they will work with the Wake County district attorney to determine charges.
The events with Daniels began when Knightdale police responded to a call of a suspicious person knocking on several doors at the Country Hearth Inn on Money Drive. Knightdale Police say Daniels was trying to find his wife.
Daniels left the hotel for his home on Gaby Lane, abandoned his vehicle on the street and proceeded to shatter the windows of his home, according to Knightdale police. He set the house on fire with neighbors as witnesses, police said.
Knightdale firefighters extinguished the blaze, which caused “significant damage” to the first floor. The house was unoccupied.
Police at the scene learned that Daniels had fled to Raleigh in a separate vehicle, in which he encountered Raleigh police officers. Raleigh and Knightdale police officers connected the crash, shooting and fire together in their investigations.
Police were able to locate Daniels’ wife and child and confirm that they were safe.
Both departments are continuing their investigations.
Raleigh police shooting follows chase
A pursuit of Daniels began after Raleigh police officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 4200 block of Brockton Drive, just outside of the Interstate 440 Beltline.
A shooting victim was hospitalized with serious injuries, and the occupants of the involved vehicle at the intersection were taken to the hospital for observation and released Thursday night, according to a news release.
Officers found a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car. The vehicle left the scene with police following it.
Daniels then collided with another vehicle at New Bern Avenue and New Hope Road.
He exited his vehicle with a firearm and shot multiple rounds at officers, Raleigh police said. The suspect struck at least two patrol vehicles and did not injure any officers or bystanders, police said.
Officers returned fire and did not strike the suspect or bystanders, according to Raleigh police.
Officers deployed their Tasers in an attempt to arrest the suspect before taking him into custody. The incident remains under investigation.
A witness video shared by WRAL shows a man at the scene appearing to take out a firearm and then tossing it on the ground, and then tossing another object.
“This senseless act of violence is intolerable,” said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson in a statement. “I am thankful for the courageous actions of our officers to safely take the subject into custody without incident.”
‘Daniels has a record of criminal charges, including assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon, trespassing, communicating threats and a previous domestic violence protection order, Knightdale police said.
“The insanity of this series of events is beyond disturbing,” said Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 1:59 PM.
