Two teenagers shot at Cragmore Road party; suspect arrested
Winston-Salem police are investigating a Friday night shooting that left two teenagers in critical condition after they were struck multiple times while attending a private gathering behind a home on Cragmore Road.
Officers were alerted shortly after 11:12 p.m. when the two juveniles were dropped off at a local emergency department with gunshot wounds, police said. Investigators determined the victims had been at a party and were in the parking lot outside the home when an altercation occurred and a suspect fired, striking both teens.
- Both victims are juveniles and were transported to a hospital in critical condition.
- The shooting happened behind the building where the private party was held; no one at the gathering initially contacted police.
- Winston-Salem Police Gang Unit and Gun Crime Reduction Unit located a suspect vehicle more than an hour after the shooting and conducted a traffic stop.
“We are continuing to determine the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victims,” police said.
During the traffic stop, officers identified Leonardo Ruiz-Marcial, 20, as the person involved in the shooting. He was arrested and charged with two counts of felony accessory assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, according to authorities. The investigation is ongoing.
What authorities are seeking from the public
Police urged anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800. Officials noted they discovered the scene more than an hour after the shooting and that no one at the gathering initially called law enforcement.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scene | Parking lot behind a home hosting a private party on Cragmore Road |
| Victims | Two juveniles; multiple gunshot wounds; in critical condition |
| Suspect | Leonardo Ruiz-Marcial, 20 — arrested, charged with two counts of felony accessory assault |
Local stakes and context
This shooting underscores continuing concerns about firearm violence involving young people in Forsyth County. The involvement of the police Gang Unit and Gun Crime Reduction Unit signals investigators are treating the incident as part of a broader prevention and enforcement effort. For residents, the case raises questions about safety at private gatherings and the timeliness of reporting violent incidents to police.
As investigators work to clarify the events that led to the confrontation and the relationship between the suspect and the victims, the community faces the immediate priorities of ensuring medical care for the wounded, preserving evidence, and encouraging witnesses to come forward. The case will be followed by prosecutors as charges proceed through the criminal justice process.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800. The investigation remains active.
