ABC11 Eyewitness News - Eyewitness News at Noon - February 6, 2026

Episode Date: February 6, 2026

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Breaking right now at noon on eyewitness news of the state resting its case in the sentencing phase of the Heeddingham mass shooter. Elena Athens is live at the courthouse with what's next in this trial. Plus the stunning new details being revealed from the autopsy of the victims in the mass shooting at a restaurant in North Hills. Breaking right now, Chopper 11 over the scene of a driver crashing a car into a store in apex, what we know from the scene. And a fire damaging a dorm room on the campus of Shaw University and Raleigh. the new information we're learning about the fire alarm system. It's the news at noon. Right now, live coverage from your local news leader, today's top stories you need to know, and your first alert forecast. Here's what's happening where you live. This is ABC 11 I Witness News.

We are following breaking news right now here at noon. The state has now rested its case in the Austin Thompson sentencing hearing. He is the teen who pled guilty to killing five people in the Headingham mass shooting in 2022. Thanks for joining us here at noon. I'm Amber Repenta. And I'm Barbara Gibbs. The sentencing phase still expected to last into next week. Elena Athens has been following the hearing and the trial since the beginning. She joins us live from the Wake County Justice Center. Elena, good afternoon. Tell us about the testimony that unfolded today.

Well, Barbara, an FBI profiler and licensed psychologist was on the stand within the last hour, speaking generally about what can cause a person to carry out a very. violent act such as a mass shooting. Now, both of Austin Thompson's parents have said there were no warning signs leading up to a tragedy that we saw in the Headingham neighborhood. Yesterday, Alan Thompson testified he called Austin as the rampage was underway. And that Austin answered the phone, didn't sound out of breath and acted normal. The FBI profiler said that individuals can follow a pathway to violence without ever committing a violent act prior. What we see is that the pathway starts with a grievance.

It can be a personal slight. It can be a humiliation. It can be something that's unbearable. It can be real or perceived, something that they struggle to move past. So the defense objected to this witness taking the stand and testifying, arguing that the FBI profiler has not met with Austin Thompson. The case now is going to head to the defense that they're going to resume court on Tuesday morning. We're live in Raleigh. Elaine Athens, ABC 11, I Witness News.

Right, Elena, thank you. Breaking right now, Chopper 11 over the scene in Apex where an SUV, a driver crashes into a building associated with Habitat for Humanity that's happening less than an hour ago at Restore on East William Street. The driver, the SUV went into the front of the building. We're told the driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. working to figure out exactly what happened here. And the weekend is here and unlike the last two weekends, there's no wintry precipitation in the forecast. Hey, but don't let your guard down. Apparently a bitter blast. A cold will make the temperature feel like we're in the single digits.

Meteorologist Steve Stewart joins us now with the forecast. Hey, Steve. Hey, guys. Yeah, it will at times. This is a really a cold air mass that's coming into play. Right now you see the clouds in some snow upstream. It's coming at us, but this is basically going to be too warm for us. Maybe a snow, Mclake mixed in. Likely just going to be some very light rain as we go later this afternoon, but I'll put a snowflake in there to be safe. It's a novelty. Not a concern, 47 for the high. Yesterday was 38, so we'll be better. 54 is normal, so not quite where we should be, but we do get warmer over the coming days. Well below average east, out west, it's above average. Notice day by day that warmth starts coming our direction. And by the time we get to Tuesday, we'll see some above average temperatures. And the warmest day of the week for us is likely going to be. on Wednesday where we could be in the mid 60s. Predicta shows that batch of some light showers trying to come on in. This will be with us around rush hours. So keep that in mind.

Can't rule out a snowflake or two, but that continues to move away. And by the time we get to 10 o'clock tonight, skies are going to clear winds will pick up a bit in that cold Arctic air really spills in. Right now, 43 degrees with some sunshine, a southwest breeze at about eight miles an hour. Most of us all in those 40s at this time with that light southwesternly breeze, though, at times it makes a feel just a cooler with that windshield. Early evening, that's where the rain's going to be after that. Rain chances going down. Skies are clearing if you have plans for tonight and make plans for least a couple of days next week. We've got some above average temperatures. We'll show you that in a 70 forecast, Amber. That's going to be nice after these last couple weeks. All right, Steve,

thank you. In Raleigh, an autopsy report revealing new details about a triple shooting at a restaurant in North Hills in January of last year. I witness news obtained the report which found George Colum, the executive chef at Coquette shot co-worker Jonathan Schaefer in the back at least eight times as he was sitting down. Colum also shot another co-worker before turning the gun on himself. Police never gave a motive for the shooting, but the medical examiner's report indicated that the employees argued over a woman. Students at Shaw University forced to find new housing after a fire inside a dorm on campus. Unfortunately, no students were hurt in this fire. Investigators, though, are trying to determine what caused it.

Akela Davis is joining us live with more. Akela. Hi there, good afternoon. The fire department confirming with eyewitness news minutes ago that a space heater actually started this fire. They tell us that when they arrived on the scene, the fire alarm system was not working. I want to draw your attention to the building behind me here. This is Dempill Newsome Hall.

It's a dormitory here on the campus of Shaw University. The third floor there, you can see that window boarded up and some such around it. Now the fire report. says the call first came in at 715 last night. Fire officials responding to Shaw University's Dill Newsom Living and Learning Center within four minutes. The report says students were evacuating from the building when they arrived. They used their equipment to get to the third floor where they found heavy smoke. Fire officials then worked to hook up their holes and put the fire out. Now the report says room 313 was where the fire started. Once officials put the blaze out,

everything in the room was removed and saturated. Now for context, this is the same dorm that eyewitness news has been reporting on students and parents telling us that it doesn't have hot water or heat. We spoke with students who were here during that fire last night. And I hear a call in the intercom, everyone evacuate, everyone evacuate. Now remind you, T.O.H has had a fire drill yesterday. The other dorm, so I'm just thinking that's what it is. It was actually real because when I went to the fire escape, it was smoke.

The Raleigh Fire Department classifying this fire as unintentional. We've reached out to Shaw University for comment asking where students who were previously living in this dorm where they will be staying moving forward. We haven't heard back yet. Reporting live in Raleigh, Akela Davis, ABC 11, eyewitness news. Akela, thank you. In Wake Forest, an hours-long hostage situation is now over. Town officials arrested 27-year-old Roman East after he barricaded himself and a child inside an apartment in New Hope Village. North Allen Road, according to police. A woman called police late last night after East

allegedly made verbal threats. East finally surrendered just before seven o'clock this morning. He's charged with felony second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor resisting a public officer. We're told that the child held hostage is not hurt. New at noon, Garner police are investigating a reported armed bank robbery. It happened at the Bank of America on Benson Road. A town official says that a firearm was implied during the incident. The suspect left the scene before authorities arrived. They say that suspect either left on foot or in a car. And Wake County Sheriff's Office is now assisting with the investigation. One of the state's largest employers hands out pink slips

in Wake County. Banking giant Wells Fargo is eliminating 112 positions at its office on corporate center drive in West Raleigh. The layoffs predominantly impact the company's chief operating office. Nearly half the cuts affect associate loan servicing. Representative The layoffs take effect in April. We are getting a first look at Carrie's external audit. The first financial report since town manager Sean Stiegel stepped down. The audit shows the town remains financially solid. They are recommending Kerry implement periodic surveys, strengthen retaliation protections,

and adopt a comprehensive policy that defines permissible benefits for elected officials. The state in town are still investigating Stiegel's use of taxpayer dollars. In your voice, your vote. deadline to register if you plan to vote in the March 3rd primary elections. Today is also the deadline for registered voters to change their party affiliation before the primary. If you miss the deadline, you may still register and vote during the early voting period, which runs from February 12th through the 28th. Former Panther star Luke Keekley is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The linebacker

was one of five players named to this year's class, and this was the moment that he found out. Kikli, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, had 100 tackles in all eight of his seasons, but retired due to concerns over concussions. Panther's owner Dave Tepper released a statement saying in part, Luke was the consummate teammate and remains a great ambassador for both the game and the Carolinas. Tepper congratulated Keekly on his election. In college basketball, we are gearing up for the first Tobacco Road showdown of the season. Fourth ranked Duke and 14th ranked Carolina facing off tomorrow night at the Smith Center in

Chappell Hill. The Blue Devils swept the series last year. year and are looking for their fourth straight win over their rivals. A Tar Heel win would hand Duke their first conference loss and just the second defeat of the year. Should be a good matchup. Tip off is at 6.30 tomorrow. Well, today the Winter Olympics officially begin in Italy. The opening ceremony is happening tonight in Milan with the Olympic flame being lit and performances from Mariah Kerry and Andrea Boccelli. The games will wrap up Sunday, February 22nd. Money approved by Congress to build a new tunnel between New York and New Jersey is now on hold.

What President Trump is requesting in return for releasing money for that project. That story is just ahead. And it is day six in the search for the mother of today's show host Savannah Guthrie. In two minutes, an update on the investigation into who may have abducted the 84-year-old. And the Super Bowl is just two days away. New here at 1230, the stunning number of Americans who plan to call out sick on Monday. Amazon Presents, Jamal. Versus the Shih Tzu.

Descending from the gray wolf, Shih Tzu's live by their own untamed primal code of not giving a single Shih Tzu. But Jamal shopped on Amazon and bought dog treats, chew toys, and 32 ounces of carpet cleaner. Hey, Jamal, you've been promoted to pack leader. Save the everyday with deals from Amazon.

Stuck in that winter slump, Try Dove Men plus Care Aluminum Free Deodorant. All it takes is a small change to your routine to lift your mood. And it can be as simple as starting your day with the mood-boasting sense of Dove Men Plus care aluminum-free deodorant. It'll keep you feeling fresh for up to 72 hours. And when you smell good, you feel good. Visit dove.com to learn more. Watch Lauren Johnson tonight on ABC 11 Eye Witness News.

It's now day six. search for the missing mother of today's show co-host Savannah Guthrie. 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared early Sunday morning and police believe she was abducted. Authorities are now offering a $50,000 reward for any information. As ABC's Olivia Rubin reports her children, make a new plea to whoever may have taken her to reach out to them. Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. That is the new plea from Cameron Guthrie. Today's show anchor Savannah Guthrie's brother with a desperate message to the possible

abductor who took their mother. We haven't heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact. The desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie now in its sixth day. But investigators say they have no suspect and no person of interest. But they say they believe she is still out there. Now investigators releasing this timeline in her disappearance. Nancy, they say, coming home from dinner on Saturday night, the garage door closing at 9.50 p.m. Investigators now focusing on a 45-minute window when they believe she was taken. At 1.47 a.m., the doorbell camera disconnects. At 2.12 a.m. Software

detects a person on a camera, but there's no video available. They had no subscription. At 228 a.m., Nancy's pacemaker app disconnected from her phone, which was left behind at the house. Investigators probing the authenticity of a ransom note sent to media outlets, and the FBI saying an arrest was made after a fake demand for Bitcoin was sent to the family. To anyone that may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma. Nancy also has a pacemaker and needs critical daily medication investigators. say they don't know if she's been getting it.

Officials are still asking anyone with information to please call that tip line. Olivia Rubin, ABC News, New York. Democrats in Virginia redraw the congressional map that could give their party a boost in the midterm elections. That story's new at 1230. And a woman survives a near-death experience after a sheet of ice from another vehicle slammed into her windshield. She's injured. That story in two minutes. It's terrifying. And in honor of Black History Month, Trayvon, Miles. shares a special conversation with the trailblazing track and field coach at St. Augustine's University, George Pup Williams.

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Grand Canyon? Grand. Great barrier reef? Great. Galapagos? Galapagos? Switch and get up to 55,000 avion points that never expire. Your idea of never missing out? happens here. Conditions apply. Visit rbc.com slash avion. A New Jersey firefighter is dead after he fell into the icy Delaware River in Camden. Fire officials say the firefighter was performing a routine maintenance check on a boat yesterday when he fell into the icy water. He was under the ice for about 30 minutes before he was rescued

and taken to a local hospital. The water temperature is estimated to have been about 40 degrees at the time the incident. The firefighter's name has not yet been released. In Pittsburgh, a woman injured when a chunk of ice flies off a truck on a highway shattering her windshield. You see it there. She suffered broken bones and needs surgery to save her vision. Madeline Gray says that she heard a really loud crunch and then glass hit her face. Her seven-year-old daughter who was in the back seat, thankfully is okay. Frid temperatures in South Florida have everyone seeking warmth, Even the wildlife, tents in the 30s this week in West Palm Beach have, of course, also dropped their temperatures watered in the water. Luckily, the manatees now know the best place to seek warmth.

That includes this natural gas facility in Lake Worth Lagoon, which pumps out warm water for Florida wildlife. More than 200 manatees were spotted swimming and relaxing in that area. Wow. Minnesota residents may soon see sled Zeppelin clearing their streets the next time it snows. That's just one of the finalists for the name a snowplow contest. They're really creative. This is the sixth year the Minnesota Department of Transportation has held this contest. More than 6,700 names were submitted. It was whittled down to 30. Some of the other snowplow finalist names include every day I'm shoveling and here we snow again. And this one's really good, the life of a snow girl. People can cast their snow plow ballot through February 13th and from the group of 38 of those names will be chosen to adorn one plow in each of the MDOT's district. That's hilarious. People are so creative sleds that sled. I love it. That is a good one. I gotta tell you I don't miss seeing those plows out there. I'm thankful for them. Let's just get that straight, but I don't miss it. I am a snow guy. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado. I'm done. I'm good. I'm ready for spring.

Yeah, we have enough winter. We're good. We did. Yeah, we're good. We got a break from the bugs. Let's move on. Hey, it doesn't feel that warm out there, and it's not. It's a little chilly out there today.

You just wait till tomorrow. It's going to look just like this the entire day tomorrow. But my goodness is this Arctic Air mean business. So be ready tomorrow. Spotty showers are possible later today. We're not talking much. A few hundredths of an inch, maybe a snowflake or two. Don't be concerned at all.

Another cold weekend for us. It's a biting wind. tomorrow. Wind calms down. The clouds increased Sunday, but we're still in the 30s. So both days it's going to be really cold. Make some plans warming up next week, at least for a couple of days. The cold air is going to be exiting. We don't have a massive ridge building in here, but some warmer air is going to push into the region. And a couple of days will be in the 60s. Clouds come back this afternoon. Right around rush hour between four and six o'clock, we can see some light rain around. There could be a snowflake mixed in, especially up north. That's going to be pushing on out. And by the time we get to 10 o'clock tonight. I think we're going to go back to clearing skies and it will be a colder

night again tonight and then tomorrow just all day long dealing with that biting wind from the north northeast northwest rather 43 degrees at north hills right now a southwesternly breeze at eight miles an hour 40 oxford 43 in irwin and fevo currently at 44 degrees if you're out this evening you have date night plans you just want to take a walk it's really around five six o'clock we have a decent chance at some light showers after that the rain chance is going down. Temperatures will stay in the upper 30s by 10 o'clock. But the skies are going to start to clear at that point in time. The winds will probably pick up a little bit too. If you're going to the big game tomorrow, really cold. Temperatures in the mid-20s when you head back to your car after the game there in Chapel Hill. But it feels like temperature is going to be the story. And are you sick of the cold? I mean, look how many days in a row, 14 of them to be specific below average and many days way below average. So we're going to flip that script and we're going to get warmer as we go into two. Tuesday and Wednesday is the warmest day before we start sliding back down just a little bit once again to finish the work week. Sunday we get more clouds, 37 degrees, less of a breeze, still pretty cold day for us.

Then as we go into Monday, partly cloudy, about 51 degrees. Upstream, though, you see some warmer air that will be moving our way as we get into the middle part of the week. Heading up to the mountains, I would say Sunday's better for skiing. Both days, the conditions are going to be fine, but that wind is going to mean business up there in the mountains. wind chills are going to be well below zero. So maybe a little bit too cold, but I'm sure if some folks will get up there and enjoy it. Forties for temperatures today, some near 50 in the sand hills. Clouds come back this afternoon, spotty light rain, ending as we get to the mid-evening hours and then clearing out overnight.

And we'll be in the upper 20s and low 30s. First of late, seven, eight, a biting breeze tomorrow, about 35 for the high. 37 Sunday, there'll be more clouds around less of a breeze, but it's still a cold day. Little mounder on Monday. Nice warm up for Tuesday. Wednesday, just a slight chance at a shower. Temperatures in the mid-60s. And then Thursday will bring those temperatures back down a little bit. But nice to get some warmer temperatures, guys. Look at those 60s. Love it. Thank you. The Pentagon releasing video of its latest airstrike on an alleged drugboat. That story just ahead. And former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gets some pushback on her request for her hearing on the Epstein case to be made public. That story new at 1230. And the United States today holding high stakes talks with Iran. A tins donut and coffee is the original collab.

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talk to us today. Cooperators, investing in your future together. Mutual funds are offered through Cooperators Financial Investment Services Inc. to Canadian residents except those in Quebec in the territories. Segregated funds are administered by cooperators' life insurance company. Life insurance is underwritten by cooperators' life insurance company. People are dead after a new U.S. military strike on an alleged drug trafficking vote in the Eastern Pacific Thursday. U.S. Southern Command posting the video on calling it a lethal kinetic strike targeting a vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations. Officials said no U.S. military members were injured, and this is the latest strike by the Trump administration in its effort to combat narcotics trafficking since the start of Operation

Southern Spear. At least 119 people have been killed in strikes on suspected drug boats. Happening today oversees the United States and Iran will hold nuclear talks, senior officials gathering in Oman's capital as tensions between the two countries are rising. The U.S. has built up a military presence in the Middle East in response to Iran's violent oppression of nationwide anti-government protest. The U.S. is demanding Iran freeze its nuclear program. Ukraine and Russia carried out their first prisoner exchange in nearly five months. Both sides releasing 157 prisoners yesterday, including Ukrainian soldiers held since 2022. Ukrainian officials say the youngest former captive is now 23 taken at just 19 years old.

A Maryland man is facing charges after threatening the life of one of President Trump's cabinet members. That story's brand new here at 1230. President Trump is threatening to withhold funding for a new tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey unless two well-known landmarks are renamed after him. And North Carolina made this swimsuit brand working to make women feel confident and comfortable. Thank you.