Two men killed in Raleigh neighborhood shooting that injured officer have been identified

Raleigh police have identified the two men who were killed in the Tuesday night shooting that also wounded an officer.

Police said the victim is John Rowe, 73, while the suspect in the case, also dead, has been identified as Antonio Rodrigues, 70.

Investigators are still working through the details, but Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said on Tuesday night that the incident began with a 911 call about a burglary in progress just after 5:30 p.m. on the 600 block of Democracy Street.

A female caller said she knew the suspect from a previous relationship, Patterson said, adding they might have once been married.

Officers arrive at scene of Raleigh shooting

Officers arriving on the scene in the Renaissance Park neighborhood heard gunfire from the house and radioed for help, with several agencies responding.

A man inside the house shot at police, and police returned gunfire, killing him, according to police. The second man shot inside the house was taken to the hospital, where he died, Patterson said. Police believe that “everything occurred inside the residence,” Patterson said.

A neighbor, Kayla Biesaga, said the incident stemmed from a neighbor’s ex-husband, against whom she had taken out a protective order, barging into the house. She said both the ex-husband and her neighbor’s boyfriend were the two deceased.

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM.

Josh Shaffer

The News & Observer

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Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.