Facebook Live from inside Triangle Town Center mall shows blood and panic after shooting [VIDEO]
Jeremy Lee’s 26-minute stream captured the immediate aftermath of gunfire, including visible blood on the floor and shoppers sheltering in place during the Raleigh mall shooting.
As gunfire erupted inside Triangle Town Center in Raleigh on Friday, April 17, 2026, shoppers and employees scrambled for safety. One of them pulled out his phone and started a Facebook Live broadcast. For 26 minutes, the man documented the chaos from inside a locked-down store. Thus, providing one of the only firsthand visual accounts of the shooting’s immediate aftermath.
The video, recorded around 3:30–4:00 PM EDT, shows people huddled together, visible panic, and blood on the floor near where the shooting occurred. “So, I’m in Triangle Mall and somebody is shooting and this man got shot,” Lee says in the stream. “Y’all pray. There’s somebody shooting in the mall. Oh my god. There’s blood right there. Really? Yeah. It’s blood.” The live feed quickly spread on Facebook. Thus, shared by local pages such as “Fighting Crime News and Who’s Wanted,” and later referenced by The News & Observer.
The video does not show the actual shooting or the gunman. Instead, it captures the raw, terrified moments after two victims – a man and a woman – were shot and transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect remains at large as of Friday evening.
Blood on the Floor and Shoppers in Hiding
The man’s Facebook Live begins inside a retail store where he and others took shelter after hearing gunfire. The camera pans to show the interior of the store, with people crouched or standing in tense silence. While filming, the man narrates in a shaken voice, pointing out details as he sees them. At one point, he focuses on a spot on the floor. “There’s blood right there,” he says. “See his blood on the floor.”
The visible blood aligns with official reports that two victims suffered gunshot wounds. Initially, the man filming refers to “this man got shot,” but police later confirmed both a man and a woman were injured. The video does not show the victims themselves, only the aftermath in the immediate vicinity. Repeatedly, the man urges viewers to pray, his voice heavy with fear. The footage conveys the disorienting confusion of an active shooter situation before any official information had been released.
Throughout the stream, the man mentions lockdown orders and describes people sheltering in place. The atmosphere is one of waiting – for police, for answers, for safety. No gunfire is audible in the video, suggesting the man began recording after the initial shots.
From Lockdown to Evacuation in Real Time
As the stream continues, the man filming and the group receive instructions to remain inside the store. At one point, he mentions that police have arrived and are clearing the area. Toward the later portion of the 26-minute video, the man filming and others are directed to evacuate through a rear hallway of the mall, eventually making their way toward the parking lot.
The transition from hiding to moving is marked by continued tension. As he films, the man’s voice remains urgent as he follows directions from law enforcement or mall staff. The camera shakes as he walks. Thus, capturing glimpses of empty corridors and emergency exits. Once outside, the scene shifts to the parking lot, where dozens of police vehicles, ambulances, and a fire truck are visible – matching the aerial footage from WRAL’s Sky 5 helicopter.
His stream ends as he reaches relative safety. The video serves as a complete narrative of one person’s experience: from the first moments of panic to the eventual evacuation. It is citizen journalism at its most raw, unedited and unfiltered.
How the Video Spread and Gained Attention
The man posted the live stream directly to his personal Facebook profile. Within hours, it was shared by local pages, most notably “Fighting Crime News and Who’s Wanted” (ncfightingcrime), which posted a clip with the caption “FROM INSIDE TRIANGLE MALL · Jeremy Lee was live.” That repost alone garnered over 170 reactions and more than 100 shares.
The News & Observer published an article titled “Video from inside Triangle Town Center just after two people were shot,” highlighting the man’s footage and his experience sheltering in the store. Unlike the external helicopter shots showing police response, his video provided a ground-level, human perspective of the incident. It became a primary source for understanding what happened inside the mall during the active phase.
No other eyewitness video from inside the mall has surfaced with the same level of detail and length. The man’s decision to go live turned a personal moment of fear into a public record of a violent event. His stream has been viewed thousands of times. In addition, it continues to circulate as the investigation unfolds.
What the Video Does Not Show
While Lee’s footage is invaluable for understanding the immediate aftermath, it does not show the shooting itself. The gunman is not visible. Additionally, the victims are not shown beyond the blood on the floor. Lee’s narration suggests he did not see the shooter or the moment the shots were fired. His video captures the consequences, not the act.
Official reports have confirmed that two people were shot and transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have declared the scene secure. However, they have not released a suspect description or made any arrests as of Friday evening. Searches are ongoing in the woods near the Belk store.
Lee’s video also does not show any law enforcement intervention inside the mall. The footage focuses on the civilian experience of lockdown and evacuation. It is a document of fear, not a tactical analysis. For investigators, the video may still prove useful for establishing timelines and witness locations. However, for the public, it is a sobering look at what happens when gunfire erupts in a crowded shopping center.
Social Media Reacts to the Raw Eyewitness Footage
On X, users who viewed clips or stills from Lee’s Facebook Live expressed a mix of horror and gratitude. “This is terrifying. You can hear the fear in his voice,” one user wrote. Another commented, “He stayed calm enough to film while people were bleeding. That’s crazy.” Several posts praised Lee for documenting the incident, calling it “real journalism” and “what social media should be used for.”
Some reactions focused on the visible blood. “Seeing blood on the floor like that makes it real,” a user posted. Others questioned why Lee was filming instead of hiding. However, most defended his decision as a way to inform the public. “He was already sheltered. Nothing wrong with recording,” one reply read.
The video also sparked debates about safety at the mall. “This is the second incident at Triangle Town Center in two weeks,” a user noted. Thus, referencing the April 8 parking lot shooting. Meanwhile, others called for increased security or metal detectors. A handful of posts expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, with one user writing, “Praying for the two people shot. Hope they recover.”
Lee’s video was also shared by local news anchors and journalists, who credited him for providing critical on-the-ground documentation. No negative backlash against Lee has been reported. Instead, the response has largely been one of respect for his presence of mind during a dangerous situation.
Conclusion
Jeremy Lee walked into a Raleigh mall on a Friday afternoon expecting a regular day of shopping. However, he walked out with a 26-minute video that captured blood, panic, and the sound of people praying. His Facebook Live is not polished. It is not professional. However, it is raw, shaky, and real.
In an era of helicopter shots and police statements, Lee’s footage reminds viewers that behind every breaking news alert are people hiding in store backrooms, whispering into phones, and staring at blood on the floor. The two victims are expected to survive. Meanwhile, the shooter is still out there.
And Lee’s video will remain – a testament to fear, courage, and the instinct to document when everything falls apart.
