The Raleigh community was rocked on Thursday, Oct. 13, following a mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood near the usually teeming Neuse River Greenway that left five dead, including an RPD officer who was off-duty at the time; and injured two others, including an RPD K9 officer.
In the wake of horrific events, support is rampant. Flowers and tributes pour in. Vigils are held. Memorials are created. Media coverage runs on loop 24/7. Victims’ names are on our minds and lips—and we cry over their loss and for their loved ones.
Memorial created at the entrance of the neighborhood that the shooting occurred. (CBS17)
It’s a scene that played out in Raleigh—as it has in far too many corners of our country. The devastating eruption of gunfire and loss of life making waves nationwide—from CNN to The New York Times to the White House. The word “enough” uttered repeatedly.
And after we’ve had “enough,” like every community, we feel hopeless as we get more space from the tragedy and try to go back to our lives—and do so without feeling like we are dishonoring the victims. If you’re feeling hopeless, there are ways to help.
The Egyptians believed that you die twice—once when you take your final breath and, again, the last time someone utters your name. So to ensure the victims of this senseless shooting live on, keep them alive by telling their stories, by talking about them, by remembering them. And in this month of gratitude and giving, aid these families not just by speaking their loved ones’ names—but, if you can, by donating to their memorial funds.
Wake Tech Community College grad, U.S. Navy veteran
Marshall was just weeks away from being married. Her fiance held a memorial on the day of their would-be wedding. gofundme.com/f/83x2h6-mary-marshall
Nicole Connors, 53
Wife, human resources worker
Connors knew everyone in the neighborhood and was a natural caregiver. Her pride and joy was walking her Jack Russell, Sammy, who also perished. gofundme.com/f/nicole-connors-and-sammy
James Thompson, 16
Knightdale High School student
The brother of the shooter, Thompson was a junior. Memorial donations may be given to Trinity Baptist Church’s Upward Basketball tbcraleigh.com
INJURED
Marcille “Lynn” Gardner, 60
Retired special education teacher
Gardner was not a resident of Hedingham, but was visiting a friend. As of press time, she remains in the hospital in critical condition, with a long road to recovery ahead. gofundme.com/f/lynn-gardner-victim-of-gun-violence
Casey Clark, 33
RPD officer
Clark was treated and later released from the hospital.
We’re seeing red… tacos (!). In queso you haven’t heard, Birrieria El Patron 323 is taking tacos to the next level with its signature red birria tacos—the hue a result of a mouthwatering consommé you’ll want to slurp by the spoonful. And don’t sleep on the birria pizza, ramen de birria or birria nachos, best washed down with a refreshing aqua fresca. Essentially, just give us all the birria, por flavor. elpatron323.com
The Tasty Turkey-Que
Get stuffed—in the best way—via this “tasty” food truck serving up NC chopped turkey BBQ… no pork allowed. A lighter option than hog, the ’cue spot’s turkey still offers all the fab flavors of traditional barbecue thanks to a bevy of seasonings. Try it in tacos, sandwiches, nachos or cheesesteak with a side of slaw and fries. Gobble, gobble! thetastyturkeyque.com
Mr. Burro
Up and at ’em! There’s no better way to start your day than with a bangin’ Mexican-style breakfast and coffee from this new-to-the-scene food truck. Choose from breakfast tacos, burritos, quesadillas and sandwiches loaded with everything you crave in the am—eggs, potatoes, veggies and meats (steak, bacon, chorizo and ham are all on offer). And you’re def gonna wanna add extra housemade sauces to your order. Taco ’bout a solid morning meal! @mrburroraleigh
Hot Chix
Holy hotcakes! If you’re into hot chix (and hotcakes, natch), mosey on over to this simply smackin’ food truck for Hot Chix tacos—aka premium fried chicken nestled inside a fluffy pancake, drizzled with your choice of sauce (syrup, ranch, queso, buffalo and BBQ are just a few ops), and served with a side of tots or mac and cheese. It’s finger-lickin’ good! hotcakesandchicken.com
Pop a bottle for Champagne Day! Unlike Taylor Swift, we have no problem celebrating this bubbly holiday. To make your Champagne Day really pop, check out these 10 tips and facts from Vitis House owner Doreen Colondres. Cheers!
1. Open a bottle and share your favorite things about Champagne on social media with the hashtag #ChampagneDay.
3. Champagne legally refers to a wine that is only grown from grapes in the Champagne region of France, but you can find outstanding sparkling wines made all over the world using the same production method as in the French region. Just look for Champenoise Method, Traditional Method or Método Tradicional on the label.
4. The Traditional Method will give you those extraordinary complex flavors from the second fermentation in the bottle that you won’t get from a tank method sparkling wine.
5. Most Champagne has no vintage—they are usually a blend of sometimesmore than 50 different vintages.
6. Vintage Champagne is only about 3% of production, and they all have exceptional qualities.
7. Time brings out the richness and flavor. All Champagne wines are aged for at least 15 months. This increases to three years for vintage and considerably longer for the special cuvée.
8. If you want to “stay in France” but out of Champagne you have Cremant. Cava (from Spain) and Franciacorta (from Italy) are always outstanding sparkling wines also made via the traditional method.
9. Are you into organic? Out of the 34,000 hectares of vines in Champagne, only around 8% are certified organic. That doesn’t mean their practices aren’t organic. … The process to become certified is lengthy and costly—it can take almost 6 years. Because of that, many vintners are opting not to undertake the certification, but are instead simply following organic farming practices and producing fabulous sparkling wine, which is organic in every aspect but name.
10. Pairing rules are not needed to enjoy a youthful, moderate or complex Champagne because they are high in acid. They will be absolutely fantastic with any dish!
Upon learning the news of the tragic mass shooting that recently rocked our city, we created an image that we had no idea in the moment would resonate with the community the way it did. It wasn’t intentional—it was a representation of how we felt in that moment. We leaned into loving Raleigh and the image went viral. So to extend the love, we created magnets and stickers with all proceeds going toward RPD officer Gabriel Torres’ family. Torres, who was off-duty at the time, was one of the five people killed in the shooting. Also a father and U.S. Marine Corp veteran, Torres joined RPD 18 months prior, and leaves behind a wife and 2-year-old daughter.
We never need an excuse to eat tacos, but National Taco Day on Oct. 4 gives us reason to expand our horizons and discover delicious tacos from some of Raleigh’s most popular mobile eateries. The following taco trucks are home to what some may say are the best tacos in the Triangle—their tortillas are fresh, their fillings hot and the unique salsas and sauces that top the tacos off are so good you’ll want to start hoarding them. Not only is their food delicious, but these food trucks are also all reliably located in permanent spots around town—so no matter when a taco craving hits, you’ll know where to find them.
Perfect for pre-gym, post-gym or no gym at all, Gym Tacos is known around Raleigh for mouthwatering tacos, burritos, tortas and tostadas loaded with flavorful meats and fresh toppings. The bright orange truck attracts passersby on Six Forks Road daily; whether you’re on the way home from work or coming from a grocery trip, it’s impossible not to stop once you get a whiff of spicy seared meats wafting through the air. One of the most popular options is the Gym Taco (natch), a handmade corn tortilla filled with shrimp, homemade chipotle mayo, greens, pico de gallo and avocado cream. On second thought, you should definitely skip the gym and just eat here.
You’ll want to come to Lobos on an empty stomach because the menu is loaded with a delicious variety of Mexican and Salvadorian dishes that are just too good to pass up. Take the tlayudas cualquier carne, an Oaxacan-inspired dish consisting of a large, partially fried tortilla loaded with refried beans, shredded meat, lettuce, tomato, avocado, Oaxaca cheese and cream. Then there’s the tacos and pupusas—the truck’s namesakes—which come with your choice of freshly made fillings. Did we also mention they have Mexican hot dogs?
Las Gringas is a signature Mexican dish consisting of flour tortillas topped with queso oaxaca (mozzarella cheese), carne al pastor, pineapple, and salsa roja or salsa verde. The food truck’s signature dish is fresh, warm and filling—everything you want in a quick meal. Las Gringas also offers tacos with your choice of carne al pastor (pork), chicken, carne asada (beef) or chorizo, burritos, nachos and Mexican egg rolls. Save room for the churros for dessert.
What makes this food truck’s tacos so great is the made-to-order tortillas, which come filled with your choice of barbacoa, asada, chorizo, carnitas or pollo, among other meat options; cilantro; onion and two specialty salsas—tomatillo-avocado and a spicy, smoky chipotle. The loaded tortas are equally appetizing. Try the Especial with jamón (a dry-cured ham), queso and al pastor, the Hawaiana with chorizo, jamón, queso and pineapple, or the Cubana, filled with a collection of meats that’s so giant you’ll want to save some for another meal but is too delicious not to devour in one sitting.
