6 Stabbed in Downtown Raleigh Brawl, 1 Arrested

Witness noticed 'off' crowd vibes before fight involving around 20 people escalated into violence

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:38am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bloody knife blade against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty evidence left behind by a violent downtown altercation.A violent downtown brawl leaves a trail of physical evidence that police must carefully document and analyze.Today in Raleigh

A brawl involving around 20 people in downtown Raleigh early Saturday morning left six people with stab wounds, according to police. A witness said he noticed the crowd's 'vibes' were 'off' before the fight broke out. Frank Lalich, 35, was charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Why it matters

Downtown Raleigh has seen an increase in violent incidents in recent years, raising concerns about public safety in the city's central business district. This latest incident highlights the need for improved security measures and community engagement to address the underlying issues driving this trend.

The details

The fight occurred around 12:15 a.m. Saturday along the 400 block of Fayetteville Street. It started as a dispute between a man and a group that escalated into a large brawl, leading to the stabbings of several men and women. The victims suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police closed off a large area around the scene as they investigated the incident.

  • The fight and stabbings occurred around 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Police responded to the scene shortly after the incident was reported.

The players

Frank Lalich

A 35-year-old Raleigh resident who was charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing incident.

Jay Aamofah

A Raleigh resident who said he noticed the crowd's 'vibes' were 'off' before the fight broke out.

Courtney McGlone

A manager at the Big Easy restaurant, which was located near the scene of the incident and had to keep employees and some guests inside until 3 a.m.

Billy Yagasits

The owner of Veloce Italian Market, who said crime has been an ongoing problem in downtown Raleigh.

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What they’re saying

“I saw that same crowd just hanging out right. And I thought, OK, maybe this is just vibes, right? And I didn't think anything of it. But it sure enough (it) was that same crowd. They got into that fight.”

— Jay Aamofah, Raleigh resident

“We were in there for a while, we were actually closed up at 2 a.m. on the dot — ready to go, but we couldn't leave. My nephew stayed til 3:30. It ended up all good — everybody here was safe.”

— Courtney McGlone, Big Easy restaurant manager

“A lot of stuff has been happening like that downtown. So I just hope that, you know, they figure out a way to get better. And luckily, we weren't open at the time.”

— Billy Yagasits, Veloce Italian Market owner

What’s next

Raleigh police are asking anyone with information about the fight and stabbings to contact Raleigh CrimeStoppers at 919-996-1193.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Raleigh faces in maintaining public safety and addressing violence in its downtown area. Community leaders and law enforcement will need to work together to find solutions that improve security, address underlying social issues, and restore a sense of safety and vibrancy to the city's central business district.