ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - October 2, 2026

Episode Date: October 3, 2026

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Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, preparing you for tomorrow starting tonight and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 eyewitness news. Breaking news at 11 a man taken into custody after police say he fired a gun on Franklin Street, a place known to be very busy. Police swarming to the scene, not far from UNC Chapel Hill, but we're learning tonight. We're also following new details into the cyclospora outbreak, the possible source that caused that deadly outbreak. We'll have more on these stories in just a minute. But first, we have to talk whether half of your weekend could be impacted by steady rain. Here's a live look at the radar.

You can see just how widespread this system is going to be. Thanks so much for joining us here for the News at 11. I'm Lauren Johnson. Steve has the night off. Did you enjoy today's heat? Well, all good things come to an end. Today was probably the last time this year. We'll see tips in the 90s. Tonight, our cameras captured people out and about in Chapel Hill.

It's nice now, but rain coming our way could impact your weekend plans. Let's check in with Don Schweniker over in the First Alert Forecast Center. Don, it's going to be a soggy Sunday. It is. We've got showers headed in starting tomorrow. Let's break it down for you right now. Good evening. Live look at First Alert Doppler net tonight. And it's not raining around here, but we don't have to zoom it out very far to see the showers that are in West Virginia, East Tennessee. Now, this is the line that's sliding east.

It's going to pull moisture up from the south. that's what will bring the rain to us as we head through tomorrow. So let's walk you through your Saturday. First alert predictor forecast model. We'll start today with some patchy fog down here. Now you'll notice by 930, one or two little spots of green. Most of us are not going to see rain in the morning. An isolated shower could fire, but it's nothing to worry about. Until we start to get between 0.14, I think that's when we'll see showers start to bloom across the region. Could see some embedded thunderstorms with this as well. And that rain activity will be off and on through your Saturday evening until that moisture pushes through

Saturday night into Sunday. Let's talk about that weekend forecast. And if you've got plans, earlier tomorrow was better, mainly dry morning, but by the afternoon, rain chances really start to ramp back up. And tomorrow will be the warmer day, 79 degrees. Rain moves through tomorrow night into Sunday. Sunday does look wet. And it could be a chilly rain as we don't get out of the 60s. And we'll talk more about that rain. A little bit of a change in some of the evening models. tonight. We'll break that down for you next in your first alert forecast coming up in just a bit. Lauren. All right, Don, thank you. And before you head out for the weekend, take a moment to download our free ABC 11 app. Use it to track changing weather conditions on the go. Search for ABC 11 in your

phone's app store to get started. Breaking news in Chapel Hill tonight. A man was arrested after police say he shot a gun on Franklin Street. It happened on West Franklin Street by the Raising Cains and Ben and Jerry's. Police say 18-year-old Axles and Zubo is facing several charges, including concealed carry of a weapon violation and armed to the terror of the public. At this time, no one appears to be hurt. An update tonight in the Wilson County crash that killed two people, the suspect posted bond and is now out of jail. 22-year-old Colin McLaughlin, son of a Wilson County sheriff's captain, posted a nearly combined $1 million bond on the four charges he's facing. Under the terms of his release, McLaughlin is on house arrest with 24-hour electronic monitoring

and he cannot drive. Jason Williams and Cherise Dickerson were killed on September. 24th when McLaughlin's vehicle struck their electric bicycle on Tillman Road. Tonight, two teams are back on the field just one week after referees suspended a high school football game in Raleigh. The Millbrook and Rollsville rivalry game was suspended in a tie last week after multiple fights forced referees to stop play before overtime could begin. But tonight, questions still remain on what will happen next when it comes to a potential rescheduling. James Price is in the Raleigh I Witness News. Senator Jemise, you spoke with fans who say the energy was a little different tonight.

That's right, Lauren, we were back in the stands meeting with some of those parents and some of those fans trying to gauge how they were feeling tonight one week later and noticed if there were any safety measures or anything new implemented after multiple fights broke out last week. So we didn't notice many changes and fans say they didn't either, but they did notice smaller crowds. Both games, both teams had away games and that might have made. a difference, but those fans say they didn't mind it at all. They could really enjoy the game. From tackles to touchdown, Friday night football was in full swing. And back on the field, Millbrook and Roseville High School, but facing off against different opponents.

Milberg fans are die-hard. We stopped by the Millbrook game first. The Wildcats faced Leesville Road High School. And football mom, Jene Edwards, says she wasn't missing her son play, despite the outcome from last Friday's face off. We are here to support every week no matter what. I think it's just last week is the honestly the biggest rival of the of the season. So that's what it attributed to. The rivalry game brought out hundreds of fans last Friday packing the stands. It was really standing room only. But multiple fights forced referees to pause the game, clear the stands, and fans had to watch the remainder of the game through offense. They limited the ticket sales. So, um, That was kind of reassuring and just coming in, the vibe was pretty good.

Whitney Brunner came in from Richmond to watch her two nephews play. She noticed the hospitality shown by Leesville tonight. It's wonderful. Both sides are being cordial. I saw the cheerleading team from Leesville take some snacks over to Millbrook, some hugs. Really good vibes. Hopefully the kids will stay safe. And that safety was top of mind for fans.

We spotted Raleigh Police and Wake County Sheriff Deputies among the crowd at both games, including Roseville versus Broaden High School where we met longtime educator Jimmy Monroe. Just look at all the fans, you know, it just seemed like real peaceful. And that's what everybody wants. They want to be able to come to the game and support their kids. A place where football is the true winner. Do you think they need to play that overtime? I don't.

It takes away from that whole game for just the overtime. And Lauren, when it comes to finishing that game, Millbrook versus Roseville, there's still no clear answer if that's going to happen. So I did bring that question to some of the parents that I met tonight, some of those football moms, and they told me they don't have a clear answer either. Lauren. Well, wait and see what decision is made. Jemis, thank you. New at 11. A woman says she is lucky to be alive after her car was hit by a stray bullet.

Lori Russ says she was driving on Duke Street near Horton Road in Durham with her five. and two-year-old grandchildren. The bullet landing just inches from the five-year-old's car seat, she describes hearing a loud bang. Take a listen. I knew it was in the back of the car, and I screamed because I knew it was my baby, my grandbabies were in the back seat, and I was yelling to make sure they were okay, and I lost it. Just knowing how close it was, by the grace of God, we were all spared. But being inches from his car seat, I just lost it. At this time, it's not clear where that bullet came from or if anyone was actually shot. That shooting comes as Durham's new police chief, Stephanie Martis, takes a strong stance on cutting down on crime.

Eyewitness news talked with Martis last week, who says neighborhood safety is a top priority. It's something Russ hopes will help make the streets more safe. Ever since it happened, I've just been thanking God that we're not planning a funeral. I just beg the mayor, the DA, police chief, get a handle on this crime. Eyewitness news has reached out to Durham police about this alleged shooting. We have not yet heard back. New tonight, a man is dead after allegedly shooting to Lenore County deputies during a standoff. That shooting happened this morning on Jonestown Road in the Pink Hill community.

Deputies responded to reports. A man was shooting at passing cars from inside his home. When deputies arrived, the suspect came outside and started shooting, hitting one deputy in the stomach. Deputies returned fire and the suspect went back inside. He returned and shot and hit a second deputy. Armored vehicles were used to breach the residence and a drone located the suspect in a bedroom. That suspect is dead tonight. Both deputies are expected to recover.

The FBI is now investigating. The Faith Hedgepeth murder trial is getting closer to opening arguments. 11 of 12 jurors are now seated after five days of jury selection. Today, seven potential jurors were dismissed. By the end of the day, 11 jurors were seated leaving one spot on that full 12 member panel and four alternate seats still to be filled. Miguel Salguro Alivarez is charged with the 2012 murder of Faith Hedgepeth, who was a 19-year-old student at UNC Chapel Hill, found dead in her apartment more than 13 years ago. Apex Friendship Middle School had to be evacuated after an odor caused kids to feel sick. According to Apex Fire, an odor was detected in some sixth grade classrooms on Friday.

About 30 students reported feeling sick from that odor. No students or staff were sent to the hospital. The cause of the odor and how it made the kids sick is still unclear at this time. Today, President Trump told reporters he's worried about Republican Michael Watley in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race. Take a listen. The Republican's full funding out of the Senate race. Are you worried about WALBY? I am because he's a great man and I am worried about him. I hope he wins.

It comes as a top Republican super PAC is reportedly pausing its ad spending in North Carolina. The Senate Leadership Fund has already spent more than $30 million supporting Wattley. But Wally has trailed Democratic former governor, Roy Coole. In recent polls, the group is now launching a seven-figure ad campaign in Kansas. So to come here at 11, a new recall alert impacting a certain brand of food all over the country, what you need to know so you don't get sick and new details into the co-pilot who allegedly attacked the plane's captain before attempting to crash a flight bound for Israel. What an investigation uncovered about the pilot's background and previous run-ins with security.

And Don, the 90s are over. They are and the rain showers are moving in. As a matter of fact, we could see a soaking Sunday around here. We'll talk about that and about that cool down. So fall-like temps moving in. And your seven-day forecast next. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement, and nothing says it better than this.

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In communities across Canada, hourly Amazon employees earn an average of over $26 an hour. Employees also have the opportunity to grow their skills and their paycheck by enrolling in free skills training programs for in-demand fields like software development and information technology. Learn more at Aboutamazon.ca. New at 11, the Trump administration wants to change how North Carolina's counted and state officials say the impact could be significant. A proposed change to the 2030 census would limit the count to U.S. citizens and green card holders leaving out international students, visa workers and undocumented immigrants. North Carolina alone has more than 24,000 international students who could go uncounted. The proposals would also eliminate census questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Critics say the changes would distort federal funding and congressional representation for years to come.

Public comment is open through October 13th at regulations.gov. New at 11, a rabid raccoon has been confirmed in Nash County. Nash County Public Health says the infected raccoon was found in the Old Bailey Highway and been to the River Road area of Spring Hope. Anyone who believes they or their pet may have come in contact with that raccoon or any other potentially rabid animal should call Nash County Public Health immediately. Today, stocks rose despite the unveiling of a weak jobs report. The U.S. economy added just 29,000 jobs in September.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked up about 4.2%. The gains are well below the 90,000 jobs forecasted by economist. The latest jobs data also revealed hiring has been softer in recent months, and wage growth slowed for the fourth month in a row. New information tonight about the co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of that fly Dubai Boeing 737, flying to Tel Aviv from Dubai on Wednesday. Passengers jumped into action and saved the plane from a nosedive. ABC's Alex Stone has those new details.

Senior intelligence and law enforcement officials tell ABC News the co-pilot of that fly Dubai plane who allegedly attacked the plane's captain and attempted to crash the Boeing 737 bound for Israel. Is an Omani National who was previously suspended from flying by Oman Air after he was identified as a security risk. Multiple sources familiar with the investigation identified the suspected attacker as 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammi. Sources say while he was working as a co-pilot trainee for Oman Air in 2024, he was found to be in possession of extremist materials. He was allowed to continue working for the airline, but in an administrative role.

Officials investigating the incident are still trying to determine how the suspected attacker was then permitted to fly for fly Dubai Airlines and how he ended up as the first officer in the copy. of a plane headed for Israel. Now for the first time, we're hearing from the hero captain, describing that life and death battle in the cockpit he had been stabbed by his co-pilot, and he somehow reached and opened the cockpit door, so help could get in. He said I was trying to save myself,

but I also knew I can't let anyone die. Captain Schmidt-Machar telling India's Prime Minister, quote, when I was lying on the floor, I could feel the aircraft was plunging, and I said to myself, while I was getting beaten, is a last push, Smith, do it. The door is right there. Somehow I opened the door and everyone came in and everyone else had an equal role. Those hero passengers and crew then stormed the cockpit

and wrestled the co-pilot to the floor. One passenger then stabilizing the plunging jet. Other passengers now saying they are so thankful for those who jumped in and saved them. Alex Stone, ABC News, Los Angeles. New at 11, the FDA has finished its investigation into the deadly cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. The agency, He says two samples collected during an on-site inspection of a Taylor Farms facility in Mexico tested positive. One was from a tank holding outgoing wastewater from a processing facility. The other was from a drainage ditch of an iceberg lettuce grower. The FDA says it remains confident.

All the recalled iceberg lettuce related to the outbreak is no longer on store shelves. All right, check your freezer tonight. We're tracking not one but two separate food recalls. First, frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe's are being recalled over potential E. coli contamination. The effective products include the 10 ounce bags of great value organic triple berry blend and organic blueberries. Also, the Trader Joe's organic mixed berry blend is also being pulled. The second recall includes Walmart's Better Goods Brand Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Feduccini. It's been recalled nationwide over possible listeria contamination. No illnesses have been reported. You know, Don, all the people who cook things naturally and fresh would say, we'll stop buying frozen and then you won't have these problems. Absolutely. Or just cooking it really. really long kill everything off. He killed everything they said. That's right.

Just cook it till it's burned. So there you go. You don't want to burn? Yes. Pancakes. Never. Right? A pancake will not do you wrong. And if you are headed out for breakfast in the morning, only on Friday nights at 11 o'clock, do you do your flapjack forecast?

Because I mean, that's where we're headed tomorrow. It looks good in the morning. There is a chance of an isolated shower. It's not zero. So somebody could pick up a stray shower. But for the most part, the rain chances don't start ramping up till noon. ramping up till noon and then into the afternoon. The one big thing to take away from the forecast tonight. If you are headed out and about either tomorrow or on Sunday, keep the umbrella handy.

There will be scattered showers both days, better chance on Sunday. We're not seeing anything on the first alert Doppler net tonight. It is dry. We take a live look into downtown Fayetteville. Self-help Skycam looking down Hay Street. There beautiful night in the All-American City. Maddie Oda Murphy tonight, those temperatures in the 70s from the coast, Raleigh. The warm spot in the state right now, 78 and Raleigh, 78, Wilmington, 77 down in Charlotte and Lumberton. Boone's at 63. The really cool air is still west of us, but it works in through the weekend. We'll see clouds tonight to start to move in and could see some patchy fog. Temperatures down into the 60s for lows. Normal is 57. We're going to be about 10 degrees above that through the overnight.

Here's your first alert fog predictor. Last night, it gave us an alert to those patches of fog. I think we'll see more tomorrow morning in spots. The good news is if you're sleeping in on Saturday, most of it will burn off by the time you get up. And then this is not fog. This is the rain that moves in as we get into the afternoon. How about a fitness forecast? Headed for a walk or run in the morning. Temperatures in the 70s by 10 o'clock, 74 by lunchtime, 76.

Satellite radar composite. There's those clear skies we've got right now. But if we zoom it out, we've got showers from the Delmarva Peninsula back into central Tennessee tonight. Lots of rain down in parts of Alabama and Georgia. this is going to work up into us as the front works through. And then we see the rain work in. So let's time it out for you. Your first alert predictor forecast model.

As we start tomorrow morning, notice there's one, two spots of green. It does not mean it will be raining exactly in western Cumberland County at 8 o'clock in the morning. But when we see these little spots, that's just a chance in an isolated shower. Really, the better chance for rain comes between, I'd say, one to four tomorrow. That's when we'll see those showers developing. So if you're headed out to maybe Dick's Park for the big fall festival, going on out there. Earlier is better. It starts at 11. As you get toward 4, 5, 6, that's when the rain will be working through. Rain will be at heavy at times tomorrow night. And then here's what's

changed in this one model. And this is just one model, but I want to show you what we see. And then we'll talk about it. Your first solar predictor forecast model shows those showers out of here on Sunday afternoon. Does that mean it will be a rain-free day? No, but it is trending with the shower shifting east a little bit. This is just one model run. It's certainly something we'll keep an eye on throughout the weekend. And meteorologist Steve Stewart will have an updated forecast tomorrow with more model data to give you a better timing on Sunday. Tomorrow, 79 in Raleigh, 73 in Durham, 80 in Fayetteville, the clouds and the showers working in. Seven-day forecast powered by Accuil, the 69 on Sunday, headed to Charlotte.

Take your rain gear wet for the Panthers. Monday, a damp start, 76, Tuesday. Humidity works out. Some beautiful fall days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 77, and Friday, 84 degrees. He's our own behind the scenes. Patrick Priest, one of our photographers, birthday on Tuesday looking great for his birthday there. Great guy. Mine's on Monday.

Yours is not as nice, but it's still good. It's still good. All right. Happy birthday to you. Thanks, Don. All right. Still ahead. A Florida mother of a Florida mother is going the extra mile.

She's foregoing the mile high club, though, for a life in the RV. How her fear flying caught the attention of a generous NFL star to help her make the trips to see her sudden play college football that's next. And a reminder, you can find eyewitness news, live on ABC 11, Disney Plus, and everywhere you stream. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement, and nothing says it better than this. Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025. Find your rhythm across a seamless 33-inch display and an immersive 19 speaker AKG surround audio system. This city demands agility, and Optic delivers with precision to make every drive extraordinary. Let's take the Cadillac. Find out more at Cadillac Canada.

luxury sales claim based on S&P global mobility Canadian new vehicle total registrations for calendar year 2025 for the Cadillac definition of luxury. Eyewitness news. We are local news weeknights four to six 30 and 11. A truly dedicated Fort Lauderdale mom has been hitting the road literally to catch every one of her son's road games. The University of Miami mother is afraid to fly, but it doesn't stop her from being the number one fan. Linda Fletcher's son, Mark, is a star running back for the Miami hurricanes. And because of her fear of planes, she hits the road for every one of his away games. She did it all last year. After her travel story went viral, Miami legend and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin surprised her with a custom RV this season.

So Linda launched her own web show, fetching Fletchers, documenting the adventure. So far this season, she's fed zebras in Texas, danced with other players' moms on the way to North Carolina, and visited the Grand Canyon for the very first time. It moved me spiritually. It was just like, oh my God. The next stop for Linda, Clemson, South Carolina. That's where the hurricanes will take on the Tigers in Death Valley on Saturday night at 730 right here on April. In Toronto, every arrival is a statement and nothing says it better than this.

Cadillac Optic was the number one selling luxury EV in Canada for 2025. Find your rhythm across a seat. seamless 33-inch display and an immersive 19-speaker AKG surround audio system. This city demands agility and optic delivers with precision to make every drive extraordinary. Let's take the Cadillac. Find out more at Cadillac Canada.ca. Luxury sales claim based on S&P Global Mobility Canadian New Vehicle Total Registrations for calendar year 2025 for the Cadillac definition of luxury. What does the sunny getaway with Air Canada sound like?

Sunny Jamaica moves to its own rhythm. Rio comes alive long after the... the sun goes down. Philippines slows everything down. And just when you think you've heard it all, there's sunny Lima. However you imagine your sunny escape, Air Canada can take you there.

Book hot fairs and vacation packages today. Nice travels. Kate, thank you and thank you at home for watching. That's going to do it for us here tonight. Jimmy Kimmel Live is next. And remember ABC11 eyewitness news, always on ABC11.com. Disney Plus. What does a sunny getaway with Air Canada sound like?

Sunny Jamaica moves to its own rhythm. Rio comes alive long after the sun goes down. Philippines slows everything down. And just when you think you've heard it all, there's Sunny Lima. However you imagine your sunny escape, Air Canada can take you there. Book hot fairs and vacation packages today. Nice travels. Thank you.