Police say the unidentified man returned fire after an alleged robbery attempt on Foxhound Road ended in gunfire and a crash.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County prosecutors are not pursuing charges against the man who police say fatally shot 18-year-old Christopher Peart after coming under fire during an alleged armed robbery in northeast Raleigh, while two other 18-year-olds face charges tied to the robbery plan.
The decision helps clarify a case that initially prompted an extensive search for a shooter Monday night. Investigators now say Peart, his twin brother, Christian Peart, and another 18-year-old were connected to a plan to rob the unidentified man in the 4300 block of Foxhound Road. Police said the intended victim cooperated with investigators after the shooting.
According to the account released by Raleigh police and later described by prosecutors in court, Christopher and Christian Peart arranged to meet the man Monday night. During the attempted robbery, the man tried to leave in a vehicle while shots were being fired at him, authorities said. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed before getting out and firing in the direction of the brothers.
Christopher Peart was struck by the returning gunfire and died from his injuries, prosecutors said. Christian Peart was at the scene and was not injured. Authorities have not publicly identified the man who returned fire, and the reports reviewed for this story do not state that he suffered any physical injuries.
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman’s office decided not to pursue charges against that man in connection with Christopher Peart’s death. Police have said he has cooperated with the investigation. Officials have not announced a separate criminal case against him, and the broader investigation into the events surrounding the attempted robbery remains open.
The confrontation brought a heavy police response to the Foxhound Road area Monday evening. Officers arrived shortly after 7 p.m. and found Christopher Peart dead. Police used dogs and drones while searching the neighborhood, and officers carrying long guns moved through the area as investigators initially worked to determine who had fired the fatal shots.
A vehicle at the scene had damaged glass around the driver’s side and windshield, according to early reports. Investigators placed numerous evidence markers along the roadway. Police later said their investigation changed direction as detectives developed information pointing to an alleged robbery plan rather than an unexplained attack on Christopher Peart.
By Wednesday, police had arrested Christian Peart. He faces charges including attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy in connection with a robbery and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle. Police also arrested another 18-year-old accused of helping coordinate the alleged robbery and charged him with conspiracy. The latest ABC11 court report identifies him as Chance Ince, while earlier ABC11 and WRAL coverage identified him as Chase Ince.
The allegations against the defendants have not been proven in court. During a subsequent Wake County court appearance, a prosecutor recounted the intended victim’s statement to investigators, including his claim that he fled in the vehicle while being shot at, crashed and then returned fire. Christopher Peart was struck multiple times, according to the prosecution.
The court proceedings also highlighted the personal consequences of the case. Christian Peart’s defense attorney, Sonya Whitaker, said his family was making funeral arrangements for Christopher before attending court. A judge later reduced bond for both defendants, ordered house arrest if either is released and granted Christian Peart permission to attend his twin brother’s funeral.
The shooting had initially unsettled residents as police searched the neighborhood without publicly identifying a suspect or explaining what had led to the gunfire. The later police account substantially changed the known circumstances, tying the fatal shooting to the alleged robbery and identifying the man who fired the fatal shots as the person investigators say was targeted.
Freeman said the investigation remains active. Authorities have not announced additional charges or released the intended victim’s name, and police have not said whether further arrests are expected.
Author note: Last updated November 6, 2026.