On the morning of July 27, 2024, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the Highgate Place area of Raleigh and soon after to a vehicle that had struck a tree on the 2400 block of Milburnie Road. Inside the crashed vehicle was 19-year-old Alejandro Troncozo, who had suffered a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital and later died from his injuries.

Police later linked the shooting and crash as part of their investigation. The case is one of a sharp rise in youth-involved violence in Raleigh; as of August 19, 2024, authorities reported 19 homicides for the year, nine with suspects 17 or younger. On August 19, 2024, three juveniles — two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old — were charged with murder in connection with Troncozo’s death; their identities were not released because of their ages.

Anyone with information about the shooting, the crash scene, or the events leading up to it is asked to come forward.