ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at 11pm - September 22, 2026

Episode Date: September 23, 2026

Eyewitness News at 11pm - September 22, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 tonight a man and a teenage girl are dead tonight after being shot in two separate shootings just minutes apart in Durham. The first involved a man being shot multiple times in broad daylight. The other involved a teenage girl being killed after accidentally being shot while playing with a gun with another. teenager you see Tom George there on standby to have us a live report from that scene. Thanks so much for joining us here for the news at 11. I'm Lauren Johnson. Hi everyone. I'm Steve Daniels. Let's begin here with that deadly accidental shooting that

happened in Durham involving that teenage girl. This happened about 7 o'clock on North Duke Street and tonight we're learning she was shot when two kids were playing with an unsecured gun. Tom George live there on the scene. Tell us what you're learning from neighbors and investigators on the scene, Tom. Yeah, they still have this area blocked off. We're hearing from neighbors. They say they saw this scene unfold, but didn't know exactly what happened, but now learning some of the details,

they say they're heartbroken to hear that a teenage girl lost her life and what seems to be a tragic accident right here. I do want to show you what we're looking at right now. This is the apartment complex right here. It's been blocked off for the last couple of hours since this happened around seven o'clock. You can see right there the scene right here,

an officer standing in front of the apartment right there as they continue to investigate. We're still working to learn some of the details, but what we do know from Durham Police right now is that this all apparently started with two teenagers playing with a gun that accidentally went off. And again, with that teenage girl losing her life after being shot in that accidental shooting right here in this apartment complex. But in the meantime, we have seen people coming in trying to park, but this area has been blocked off right now as they continue to investigate. Of course, we're going to continue to stay on top of this. Again, the scene has been very much active for the last couple of hours as investigators try to piece this together. But as it stands right now, Durham police are calling this a tragic accident.

They say this was an isolated incident, no threat to the public. But obviously a heartbreaking tragedy with the teenage girl losing her life here in this shooting. Well, of course, continue to stay on top of this and let you know as soon as we know more from Durham police. We're live in Durham. Tom George, ABC 11, how it is news. in the 700 block of North Duke Street. Let us know this half hour if you learn more. Tom, we'll get back with you. Also in Durham, new here at 11. A man is dead after getting shot in broad daylight. This happened not far from downtown Durham. Our breaking news crew captured this video

just before seven tonight on Eva Street. You can see how large the police response was. Durham police say they found a man who was shot several times at this time. No one has been arrested. New tonight as students settle into the back-to-school routine, the Durham superintendent, Dr. Anthony Lewis gave the annual state of the district address this evening. Tom George was at that address and spoke with the superintendent earlier tonight. And while he says there's a lot to celebrate, he also believes there's still some work to be done. Northside High Senior Faradorch getting to open at the state of schools address before superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis took the stage. The state of dorm public schools is strong and getting stronger.

Time flies as she hopes to study music in college looking back on her time at DPS as setting her up for success. I feel like being a student, I witnessed a lot of the stuff that he mentioned firsthand from my freshman year, how much this school has improved. Dr. Anthony Lewis touting a turnaround in the classroom, science, math, and reading proficiency up across the board. And for the first time since 2014, no DPS schools getting an F grade on the North Carolina School report card. Dr. Lewis says it comes after years of post-pandemic focus on instruction. We have greater alignment and we're providing greater support to our schools. And so as we think about where we've been since the pandemic, proficiency rates continue to increase.

Farah's mom, Ebony says she's also seen that support at Ferris High School and at her younger brothers elementary school. It's been great, and especially with Dunn Public Schools, you know, they really helped out, especially like he said with the early Head Start program. My babies will end early Head Start. And it's also been helpful because my baby's autistic. So the special needs and getting the extra help. But Dr. Lewis says supporting teachers is key. to keeping that momentum. One in five DPS teachers are within their first three years in the profession, so competitive pay is key to keeping them in the classroom. He says he's grateful

for what Durham County has been able to do, but at a certain point, the state can do more. We are so grateful for our partnership with our Durham County officials. They've looked up under every cushion and couch to help support our work in Durham Public Schools. But he says overall he's excited for what this new school year will bring. I'm hearing a renewed sense of a in Durham public schools, hearing happy teachers, happy staff. Tom George, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Tom, thank you. New at 11, the ESPN family mourning the loss of one of their own basketball analyst.

Chris Spistola, who was the son-in-law, former Duke coach Mike Shoshchewski, has died at the age of 47. Spatola played basketball at West Point and served on Shoshvsky staff at Duke before becoming a basketball analyst for ESPN and a host on Sirius XM Radio. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been released, but we know he died unexpectedly. The Shoshchevsky family says they are heartbroken. ESPN also released a statement tonight that says in part he was thoughtful, prepared, and passionate about the sport earning the respective colleagues, coaches, players, and fans alike. A search is underway for a missing Clayton teenager who disappeared after a car crash more than 60 miles from home. Clayton police say 17-year-old Robert Book the 3rd was last seen on surveillance video at a Clayton gas station.

It was around 1.30 in the morning on September 12th. Book was driving a black 2010 Kia Soul heading westbound. hours later around 3.20 a.m. That same Kia was involved in a crash on US 421 in Greensboro. When first responders arrived, Robert was not there. Investigators are now working to determine where he went after the crash, whether someone picked him up or if he continued West on his own. In Wake County, two parents are now facing criminal charges after a teenager accidentally shot himself. It happened at a home on Hartsfield Drive near Wake Forest. Thankfully, the 16-year-old is expected to be okay. The teen's mother and stepfather have both been charged with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse and one count involving storage of firearms to protect Myers. New at 11, Carrie, divided over two controversial properties bought by a former town manager without full council knowledge.

Tonight, the Kerrytown Council met to discuss two wooded parcels at 600 and 604 Kildare Farm Road just south of downtown. They were purchased for about $1 million under former town manager Sean Stiegel back in July of 2024. for Kerry Mayor Harold Weinbreck wants to sell. However, Mayor Pro Tem, Lori Bush wants to hold on saying land like that doesn't come back on the market and Carrie should keep its options open for generations. So far, more than 1,300 residents have signed a petition to preserve the wooden land. The review process will soon begin for the newly approved Wake Med Atrium Deal. Wake Med says Atrium Health does plan to make significant investments over the next 10 years.

The health care systems issued a joint statement saying in part, we look forward to fulfilling our commitments. We recognize that trust is earned and our focus now is to follow through on what we've outlined. In terms of next steps, the Federal Trade Commission needs to sign off on the deal, which could take several months. Hockey is back in Raleigh and Cains are already off to a hot start. Tonight was the Cain's preseason home opener and they're celebrating a 3-2 win against the Florida of Panthers. It comes just one week before the official season opener in Stanley Cup championship celebration. Kate Rogerson will have the details coming up later in sports. Plus, future residents of Chatham Park may one day be able to say they live within walking distance of a world-class golf course.

We've got the latest on news that a world-renowned golf course architect is working on a project at that development South Village community. And Steve is back checking on the temps outside. All right, we are three hours into fall. Is it feeling like it yet? If you've been outside, that breeze, that does feel a little on the cool side. And yeah, we've turned a corner. It looks like in a big way. 60s and low 70s right now.

And folks, tomorrow, we're going to be in the 60s. all day and that's about it. Even cooler possible on Thursday. All the details coming up in just a few minutes. New here at 11, we have our eye on the economy as we're all feeling the pinch right now because of rising prices and affording the basic necessities from groceries to gases becoming a real struggle

for many, many families. Inflation, the war with Iran and another interest rate hike are creating a perfect storm. Tonight, Jamies Price introduces us to a former restaurant owner who was forced to close her business during the economic turmoil and even as rising food cost, her own budget, she's still finding a way to help feed others in need.

Angela McLean owned backyard barbecue in Durham, but the economic downturn forced her to close her doors, but she still found a way to serve up meals, this time for the elderly, but even that's becoming expensive too. It starts with a trip to the grocery store, where Angela sees firsthand and just how much more it costs to feed the people she's cooking for. When you want to make things from scratch, so we really can get expensive on just the ingredients. Tuesday we met Angela as she finished her grocery trip, loaded her bags, and started her prep for about 37 seniors at St. Joseph A.M.E. Church in Durham. On the menu, fish, collard greens and yams. You would think, like, potatoes would be cheaper because they're potatoes, you know, sweet potatoes.

But no, it has rise as well. I believe I paid $6 for a five pound, and it used to not be that bad. It's maybe $3.99. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics food prices increased by nearly 3% since this time last year. Angela says it feels like more than that. Orange juice. Orange juice is like I think it used to be $2, $3. It's about $5, $6 now.

Milk is the same as gas or maybe higher. And when we look closer at the price for a gallon. of milk, according to the consumer price index, it will cost about $4.23. Last year, that same gallon of milk would cost about six cents less at $4.17. But you really notice when those things at the grocery store that used to cost $6 now cost $8 or $9, that just slaps everybody in the face. NC State professor Jeffrey Dorfman says some of the high prices we're seeing are directly connected to the price of fuel. Is there in insight? It's hard to say. I think if we wrapped up the war with Iran and got oil and gas prices back down, then I think we'd see an end to the inflation pretty soon.

And for people like Angela, a single mom hoping to get back to cooking full time soon can't get here quick enough. But the cost of food is kind of hard and scary. And we're learning just how dire the situation is for some families. According to Lending Tree, about 30% of Americans are using by now pay later loans to afford gross. mysteries. Jimmy's Price, ABC 11, eyewitness news. And you have to wonder, even if the war ends, will prices go back to where they were just a few months ago? And how soon if they do? Yeah, yeah. Many questions and the pain continues for so many people. Tonight there's a major step forward in a decades old cold case mystery in Wilson. After nearly 50 years, state investigators identifying human remains as belonging to a 15-year-old missing from Maryland. For decades,

investigators couldn't figure out who was found dead in a wooded area near 3.0. in December of 1977. Now, they say the remains are those of Cindy Blizzard. Her family says she ran away and was reported missing in 1977. Questions about who was with her at the time of her death still remain unanswered. They don't know who did what to her. So that's my goal is to continue pursuing that and in the hopes that I need help. I need someone to tell me something that may give me a lead to pursue.

If you know anything about the case, you can contact the Wilson County Sheriff's Office. Tonight we've learned the driver who hit and killed a 76-year-old woman in downtown Smithfield and a crosswalk is under arrest. Smithfield police, a 20-year-old Selvin Adelso Vasquez-Perez was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. In connection with the death of Virginia Tucker Lion of Smithfield, this crash happened Friday at the intersection of East Market and second streets. Police say Lion was walking north across East Market Street in a marked crosswalk when Vasquez Perez's pickup truck hit her while he was turning on the U.S. 70. Lyon was taking to Wake Med where she later died. Investigators alleged Vasquez Pettas failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and was driving without a valid driver's license.

New at 11 children who need emergency care in Fayetteville will soon have more space of their own. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is expanding its emergency department, adding 24 pediatric beds and creating a larger space dedicated to younger patients and their families. Hospital leaders say the expansion will separate children from the busy adult emergency wing. The project also includes larger waiting areas. and renovated restrooms, the ER will remain open around the clock during construction. In Chatham County, people who live in the Chatham Park community may one day be able to live within walking distance of a world-class golf course. Chatham Park officials have announced the Southern Land Company is working with the renowned golf course architect Tom Fasio to design a 1200-acre master plan golf community.

And as part of the development's South Village community, this will be the new part. Fasio, who lives in Western North Carolina, has worked all over the world to design more than 200 golf courses, over 6,000. 60 years. At South Village, he'll now be involved in the design of an 18-hole course, a nine-hole short course, and a state-of-the-art learning and practice facility for golfers as well. ABC 11 together highlighting ovarian cancer awareness month with an event this weekend in Rale, and the hope is to raise awareness by sponsoring the Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk in 5K. That walk raises money for research offering support to those who are fighting the disease. The event is Saturday, September 26th. at Sanderson High School in Raleigh. There's still time to join either online or the day of that event.

The run begins at 8.30 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10.30. ABC 11 is a proud sponsor. Yeah, we'd love to see out there. Steve says we've got to make plans for Saturday because it is going to be absolutely beautiful. And he says, in fact, the sun is gonna be in short supply between now and then.

So do make your plans for the weekend. Yeah, Friday is kind of my question mark day. Is it an area of low pressure gonna be off the coast? And if it's close enough, we might have stubborn clouds, but don't be an optimistic. Let's be optimistic. That's the way I'm going. Hey, it's cloudy out there right now.

Still damp. We didn't get a lot of rain around the triangle. That was really farther to the south in the sand hills. Now tomorrow, cloudy little damp, spotty showers at times. It'll be breezy too next couple of days. You'll be shocked at how cool it's going to be. You might even need a light jacket in the afternoon hours. Chili mornings ahead.

You will need the jackets for sure of the hoodies early on. We're going to have a lot of 50s and we're talking low 50s, but make some plans for this weekend. It's going to be fantastic. But look at Friday, Saturday, Sunday morning. If we get down to 50 on Saturday, it's been 111 days since we've been 50 or a little bit colder. So it's been a while since we've been that chilly. This is just some ground clutter here. We have showers down to the sand hills.

Lee County now has some heavy pockets of rain early. Not much going on now. This will continue to wane a bit. But some areas in the sand hills picked up significant rain. Small little swath of heavy rain of one to two inches and a few localized areas got three. But the lion's share of us from the triangle points northward really missed out on much of any rain at all. Really not a shock to considering how it was looking early on. 66 little drizzle in North Hills with a north breeze at 14 miles an hour.

60 in Oxford, 63 in the Roxburgh and Fayetteville is at 71 degrees. And I'm going to play this out. This is going to be that area of low pressure spinning around here. But look how that dry air gets drawn in on the backside. Friday morning, this particular model suggesting dew points. could fall to the upper 30s and low 40s. That is really dry air that's gonna be coming our way. Now tomorrow with the kids at the bus stop,

cloudy, maybe a shower or drizzle. It might actually be cooler when the kids come home later in the day. So again, not a bad idea to have the kids go with that hoodie to school. It'll be chilly out there. Mid-60s for highs on Thursday, spotty shower still overcast.

Now where does this low go, right? So I do have that flow coming in from the north. I'm being optimistic, starting with clouds, ending with sunshine. But if that low is a little closer, it could really keep the clouds hanging on tough during the day. And look at the swells.

We could get overwashed with this basically a nor'easter that's developing along the outer banks and big swells all the way up to the northeast going to cause some impacts there. So for us tonight will be in the upper 50s in our northern counties, low 60s around the triangle, cloudy sky, spotty shower, drizzle. And that trend continues tomorrow with temperatures in the 60s,

even low 60s up in our northern counties and low 70s down in the sand hills. First of all the seven day. We'll do it again on Thursday with some spotty showers in a cool day and then notice the temperatures. And we'll get to the 70s for highs, really nice over the weekend and low temperatures in the low 50s. So jackets early on, but you'll enjoy the afternoons and evenings over the weekend. But tomorrow you might need a jacket when you come to work. And don't look for the sun either.

Just bring my hoodie a lot. Yeah. All right. Steve, thank you. Tomorrow night a sold out hometown show and thousands are expected. Jay Cole comes back to Fayetteville to close out his North American tour, how the city is preparing for the show at the ground complex. And remember, you can always watch eyewitness news live on ABC 11, Disney Plus, and wherever you stream.

Eyewitness News. We are Local News, weeknights 4 to 630 and 11. In Durham, Duke Regional Hospital is celebrating a big milestone. It's now spent 50 years as a pillar in the community. The North Rocksboro Street Hospital has undergone two name changes during its 50-year history. It was first known as Durham County General Hospital. It became Durham Regional Hospital in 1990, and in 2013, the name was officially changed to Duke Regional Hospital. Leaders with the health system say the hospital has evolved into a destination for advanced patient care. Duke Regional is so fortunate to be here in the community as we have, I think, such purpose.

You know, we go home after a long day of work. We're able to care for these patients in Durham County. That gives us purpose. Next Friday, October 3rd, the hospital will celebrate its 50th anniversary as it hosts the Duke Regional Community Cairs Day. It's a day of giving back to the community, offering free health screenings and family-friendly activities. It will be held at the Durham County Memorial Stadium. All right, let's look ahead to tomorrow. Rapper Jay Cole is coming home as he wraps up the North American leg of the fall-off concert tour in his hometown of Fayetteville.

With thousands expected at the Crown Coliseum tomorrow night. City leaders are urging fans to plan ahead. The rapper wraps up the North American leg of the tour on Wednesday night. Tickets sold out within hours last November. The city of Fayetteville and the Crown Complex are warning concert goers to expect heavy traffic and recommend arriving no later than 6 p.m. Parking opens at 4 p.m. doors open at 7. The show is set to start at 8 o'clock.

And the fun doesn't stop there. Jake Hull fans in Fayetteville are getting a special surprise from the hometown hero. On the same day he returns to the Crown Coliseum, after months of 10, teasing his independent footwear line while on tour this year. Jay Cole is releasing that new sneaker at 9 a.m. in Fayetteville tomorrow. It's happening at 100 with Ivan Drive right off Gillespie Street. The shoes are $200 a pair. And I bet he'll have a big crowd out there.

And I was reading the fine print too, Lauren. Yeah. So all sales are final. Two pairs per person. Okay. No refunds or exchanges. And you cannot pay with cash. No cash.

Okay. So you've got to commit to buying this shoe. That's right. Maybe a lot of people wear it to the show tomorrow. Hey, there you go. Yeah, a good way to get teed up for it. All right, there was quite a show on the ice and rally tonight. I know.

Kate was there for the action. She's dressed appropriately, too, with that sweater. Who says preseason hockey doesn't have to count you guys. Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Florida Panthers. Three, two, and a shootout. The young guys have a lot to be proud of. We show you how they got the job done when we come back with sports. Now, ABC 11 eyewitness News Sports, sponsored by Ram,

Nothing stops RAM. Welcome back to sports. I'm Kate Rogerson coming to you live from ice level inside the Lenovo center where behind me the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 in a shootout. Yes, tonight was a preseason game. Yes, you could argue the Panthers didn't have their best stuff. But when you have a Kane's roster full of young ins looking to make their way into this league, beating the Panthers means a whole lot more. Let's run the tape and give you an inside look.

Tonight started with some extracurricular activity, you know, just to get the tone and the vibe going in the building. In the first period, 2003 first round traffic for the Cain's Bradley Nadeau finds the back of the net, tying the game at one. That lasted all of 18 seconds because Panthers captor Alexander Barkov came flying down the ice. He snuck a pass Brandon Bussie to put the Panthers back in front to one. As the game went on, the Cains caught momentum. Brandon Bussie came out of the net and Cade and Primo went in. He shut down Florida. That set up Felix Ungresoram to walk away with the Keynes winner in a shootout.

Final score, Cains 3, Panthers 2. Tonight's game, like I said, might not count for much in the win column and the lost column, but it's a step in the right direction for a bunch of future Cains hoping to make their way into this organization and into this league. I know this is just preseason, but it's always good to get games against those guys. It helps build confidence, especially when you have success like that. We knew being a bunch of young guys going out there against an awesome team against a bunch of guys that won back to back Cups. It was going to be tough. And that's what you want to see. Like nothing's going to be perfect. But as long as you get better

from the first, second, third. And from the first to the second game, too. So I think we did that. And obviously, getting a win tonight was a lot of fun. Charlie Serrato, a guy who's a center looking to make his way into the league. Like I said, he said tonight was fun. And you know what? Preseason hockey should be fun. It should be fun to meet the Florida Panthers. The guys have two more games. Be back here in one week for the real thing versus Florida. once again. Yeah, a couple of matchups with Nashville. One here, one in Nashville, and then the real deal. Yeah, yeah. Get the jitters all out. Get ready. That's right. All right, Kate, thank you. And thank you at home for watching. That's going to do it for us here tonight. Jimmy Kimmel is on the way next. And remember,

ABC 11 eyewitness News is always on at ABC11.com, Disney Plus and wherever you're straight. We're glad you joined us tonight. Lauren and I, hoping to see you back here tomorrow night at 11. Good night.