On February 26, 2026, two pizza restaurants in different corners of the United States became the unlikely centers of violent crime scenes, sending shockwaves through their local communities and raising questions about safety in everyday spaces. In Durham, North Carolina, a shooting at Randy’s Pizza left one man dead and another in police custody. Hours earlier and thousands of miles away, a 16-year-old in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood allegedly opened fire on a pizza parlor and attempted to carjack a rideshare driver, leading to his arrest and a flurry of police activity. Both incidents, while unrelated, unfolded within the span of a single day, reminding Americans that violence can erupt in even the most familiar of places.
According to reporting from ABC11, Durham police responded just after 4:45 p.m. to Randy’s Pizza, located at 5311 S. Miami Blvd, after receiving calls about gunfire. Officers found a man with a gunshot wound in the kitchen of the restaurant. Despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident took place in a strip shopping center, and within minutes, the area was swarming with law enforcement, including the Durham Police Department’s Mobile Command Unit.
Police quickly took a man into custody in connection with the shooting, though details about what led up to the violence remain unclear. As of late Thursday, investigators had not released the names of either the suspect or the victim, nor specified whether the two knew each other. ABC11 reported that, according to police radio traffic, a caller at the scene said they heard a man yell, “You just killed that guy.” This chilling statement underscored the shock and confusion that gripped employees and customers alike. One visibly distraught employee told ABC11, “I just wanted to go home,” as he left the restaurant, while others hugged and comforted each other outside, anxious to return to the safety of their homes after being cleared by police.
The impact on the business was immediate. Randy’s Pizza announced on social media that it would be closed until further notice, a decision that left employees and regulars alike reeling. Staff members declined to comment, instead referring all inquiries to an attorney who indicated that more information would be shared the following day. As the sun set and midnight approached, only police cars remained in the parking lot, their flashing lights a stark reminder that tragedy had struck a place better known for its slices and friendly service than for violence.
While the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Investigator M. Judy at the Durham Police Department or reach out to CrimeStoppers, which offers up to $2,000 in cash rewards for tips leading to arrests in felony cases. Importantly, callers can remain anonymous, a policy that aims to encourage witnesses to come forward without fear of reprisal.
Just hours before the Durham shooting, another pizza parlor—this time in Seattle’s bustling Capitol Hill—became the scene of a different kind of chaos. According to FOX 13 Seattle and the Seattle Police Department, officers responded around 1:40 a.m. to reports of gunfire near the intersection of East Union Street and 11th Avenue. When they arrived, they found a pizza restaurant riddled with bullet holes, witnesses shaken, and a story that was almost surreal in its details.
Police determined that a 16-year-old boy, who had been drinking with friends at a nearby bar using a fake ID, was removed by security staff after his underage status was discovered. Security escorted him to a Maserati parked outside, where he climbed into the back seat. As the luxury car drove away, the teen fired several rounds through the rear passenger window toward the security guards standing on the sidewalk. Several bullets struck the pizza parlor, leaving windows shattered and chaos in their wake. Miraculously, no one was hit by the gunfire itself, but several employees and patrons suffered minor injuries from flying glass.
Responding officers found the Maserati abandoned nearby, its window bearing the scars of the shooting and shell casings scattered inside. The vehicle was promptly impounded as evidence. As police processed the scene, the suspect made a bold—if ill-advised—return to the area. Upon spotting the officers, he attempted to flee but tripped and fell, allowing police to take him into custody without further incident.
The drama didn’t end there. An Uber driver soon approached officers, reporting that the same teenager had tried to steal his car at gunpoint. Fortunately, the driver managed to drive away unharmed. Police later recovered a firearm in the area, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and robbery and booked into juvenile detention. Detectives are considering additional weapons charges as their investigation continues.
Both incidents have left their respective communities grappling with fear, frustration, and a sense of disbelief. In Durham, regulars at Randy’s Pizza—a beloved local eatery—are left to wonder how such violence could erupt in their neighborhood. Employees, still processing the trauma, have found themselves thrust into the center of a criminal investigation, with their workplace now cordoned off behind police tape. The owner, reached by ABC11 while out of state, admitted he was still gathering details about what had transpired.
In Seattle, the story has ignited conversations about underage drinking, gun access, and the challenges faced by businesses in busy nightlife districts. The fact that a teenager managed to enter a bar with a fake ID, gain access to a firearm, and cause such mayhem has alarmed both residents and authorities. For the employees and patrons injured by shattered glass, the physical wounds may heal quickly, but the psychological impact could linger for much longer.
Both police departments have pledged to continue their investigations and keep the public informed. In Durham, the promise of a forthcoming statement from the restaurant’s attorney may bring some answers, but for now, many questions remain. In Seattle, detectives are piecing together the sequence of events and weighing further charges against the teenage suspect.
For now, two pizza shops—one in North Carolina, the other in Washington—stand as somber reminders that violence can touch any community, no matter how ordinary the setting. As investigations unfold, residents in both cities are left to reckon with the aftermath and hope for a swift return to normalcy.