Police officers in Raleigh, North Carolina, fired 30 shots during a chaotic May 7 incident in which a now-deceased suspect threw feces and Molotov cocktails at police cars and officers, according to a preliminary assessment published Friday.
Reuel Rodriguez-Nunez, 37, was taken to the hospital after the incident but died from his injuries.
Rodriguez-Nunez drove into a Raleigh Police Department (RPD) parking lot at 1 p.m. on May 7 and dumped fecal matter and urine at the station’s main door, according to detectives. He then threw Molotov cocktails at two police cars, igniting them.
Rodriguez-Nunez then placed cups filled with drinks throughout the parking lot and “sat in the back area of his van with the rear van door open,” according to the preliminary report.
Lieutenant M.F. Schabel arrived at the site at about 1:18 p.m. and requested that the Raleigh Fire Department be dispatched to the police station due to a police car on fire. The suspect hurled fluids at Schabel’s car as he neared Rodriguez-Nunez, followed by a Molotov cocktail. Schabel stayed in the car but turned away from Rodriguez-Nunez.
On Schabel’s request, three more cops arrived at the site. Officer B.A. Beausoleil warned Rodriguez-Nunez repeatedly, “Do not do it,” “Don’t do it any longer,” “Don’t do it,” and “Don’t do it, bro.”
“What’s the matter, man?” As Schabel approached the suspect, he asked Rodriguez-Nunez.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez-Nunez remarked, “Today… is my day… to… go on,” before tossing another Molotov cocktail at cops.
Four cops then approached the guy and repeatedly told him to halt and take his hand out of his pocket. As they approached, Rodriguez-Nunez lighted another Molotov cocktail and hurled it toward Officer P.W. Coates, prompting all four officers to fire their firearms, totaling around 30 shots, according to the report.
officers took Rodriguez-Nunez away from the flaming automobiles and performed life-saving techniques until EMS came and transferred the suspect to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. According to the report, detectives later established that Rodriguez-physical Nunez’s description and vehicle matched that of a suspect sought for attempting to set fire to gas pumps at a convenience store on Capital Boulevard on May 6.
“We have all been crushed by the unexpected death of our brother, Reuel Rodriguez. On May 7, 2022, he passed away. Our family was unprepared for this, and during this difficult time, we urge family and friends to assist us in giving our brother a memorable farewell “A description of the fundraising may be found here. “Reuel Rodriguez was well-known for being both amusing and kind. He will be greatly missed. Thank you in advance to everyone.”
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in North Carolina is investigating the incident and will provide its findings to the Wake County District Attorney for consideration. Separate investigations are being conducted by RPD detectives and the RPD Office of Professional Standards into the event.
