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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Anna Betts

North Carolina officials to charge adults who allegedly ‘stood by’ teen fight that became mass shooting

two police officers stand near a vehicle outside
A police mobile command vehicle at the scene of a shooting at Leinbach Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on 20 April 2026. Photograph: Erik Verduzco/AP

North Carolina authorities say they are pursuing criminal charges against adults who allegedly “stood by” a scheduled fight among teenagers that led to a mass shooting that killed two people and wounded five others on Monday.

“We’re sending the message that if you stand by, encourage, aid or abet our juveniles in delinquent behavior, we will not tolerate it,” William H Penn, the Winston-Salem police chief, said in a joint video message on Tuesday alongside the local sheriff and district attorney.

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