Drive-by shooting injures man in Fuquay-Varina McLean Street neighborhood

A drive-by shooting in the 400 block of McLean Street in Fuquay-Varina left a man with gunshot wounds to his lower body on the night of January 13, 2026. Officers who arrived around 7:40 p.m. found the injured man and transported him to a hospital; police said he was expected to recover.

Police described the victim as a passenger in a vehicle with two other occupants. As that car pulled up between two houses, a large SUV or truck approached and someone fired multiple rounds into the vehicle before fleeing the scene. No further suspect information was immediately available, and investigators said the incident appeared to be isolated.

Investigators remained at the scene following the shooting and asked people to avoid the area while officers conducted their work. Residents with information were urged to contact the Fuquay-Varina Police Department at (919) 552-3191 or via email at fvpolicetips@fuquay-varina.org.

The shooting underscores persistent neighborhood safety concerns for Wake County residents and the importance of timely police communication. Drive-by shootings carry particular community impact because they occur in places where neighbors expect relative safety; the presence of multiple occupants in the vehicle raises questions about bystander risk and the potential for additional victims in similar incidents.

For local officials, this event tests the capacity of law enforcement to investigate quickly and to provide clear information while protecting an active investigation. For residents, it raises practical questions about evening routines, neighborhood watch practices, and the need to report suspicious activity. Public safety is a recurring issue in Wake County civic discussions, and isolated incidents like this can heighten demands for transparency, patrol shifts, and targeted enforcement in neighborhoods where gunfire threatens public confidence.

No arrests were reported at the time of police statements. Officers continued to gather evidence and interview potential witnesses near McLean Street. The department’s request for tips aims both to identify suspects and to reassure residents that the investigation is active.

This shooting is a reminder to residents to remain alert, to avoid the immediate scene while law enforcement works, and to forward any information to police through the provided phone number or email. Watch for updates from the Fuquay-Varina Police Department as investigators develop leads and release further details.