RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A man facing 10 felonies after an active shooter incident at Shaw University could face a maximum of 37 years in prison, a judge said Wednesday.
At about 2:30 p.m., 74-year-old Kamal Rasool Abdal-Rafi appeared in court after he was arrested Tuesday for firing multiple shots at someone at 130 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Raleigh Tuesday afternoon. This is the location of the International Student Center where classes are taught on the first floor of the building and a mosque is on the upper level as well as faculty offices and a conference room.
Three of Abdal-Rafi’s family members attended his court appearance Wednesday. They did not wish to speak with CBS 17.
More details revealed
During his court appearance, Abdal-Rafi identified himself as a military veteran and said he needed help reading legal paperwork because he had been blind out of his right eye since 2019.
According to the victim, Abdal-Rafi was upset with him for walking his dog close to the Mosque, which is called the Mosque of the Late King Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud. CBS 17 previously learned that Abdal-Rafi would frequently pray at the Mosque.
The victim said Abdal-Rafi kicked his dog, fell down and fired at him with a revolver.
He said Abdal-Rafi then went to his vehicle and told the victim to leave.
During a search, investigators said a shotgun and a pistol were located in Abdal-Rafi’s vehicle.
They said they also found Abdal-Rafi with other handguns and a KelTec Special.
Abdal-Rafi is charged with:
- 1 count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to kill
- 4 counts of discharging a firearm on educational property (felonies)
- 5 counts of possessing a firearm on educational property (felonies)
- 1 count of going armed to terror the public (misdemeanor)
- 1 count of cruelty to animals (misdemeanor)
Bond considers previous convictions
In court Wednesday, it was revealed that Abdal-Rafi has several previous convictions.
The judge said he was convicted in 1975 of common law robbery, and in 2019 of concealed gun communicating threats.
For these reasons and given the facts of this case, the judge said a $150,000 secured bond is reasonable.
Abdal-Rafi was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and to not go on Shaw University’s campus.
Next appearance
Abdal-Rafi is expected to appear in court again in the next few weeks.
His next appearance is scheduled for May 15.
