DGUs in Wake Forest | UNC pro-Palestine organizer has neo-Nazi ties
No. 43— Oct. 22-Oct. 28, 2023
Defensive Gun Uses in Wake Forest
Bystander shoots at suspect after shots fired in domestic-related altercation in Wake Forest: Police - ABC11
Shots fired in Lowes grocery store parking lot, man arrested in Wake Forest - WRAL
Homeowner shoots, kills intruder; Wake Forest PD launches 3rd shooting investigation 6 days - ABC11
Homeowner shoots and kills a man trying to break into a Wake Forest house - N&O
Man shot, killed trying to break inside Wake Forest home, police say - WRAL
Anti-2A Activist Frets About Recent Defensive Gun Uses - Bearing Arms
Over the last weekend, Wake Forest experienced not one but two instances of civilians using a firearm in a defensive capacity.
In the first instance, on the night of Saturday, October 21, 35-year-old Mirza Zukanovic reportedly began firing at two individuals in a Lowes Foods parking lot as part of a domestic dispute. Zukanovic fled the scene after a concealed carrying “good guy with a gun” returned fire. Zukanovic was arrested and charged after crashing his vehicle with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, as well as various related charges.
In the second, a homeowner fatally shot an intruder who was breaking into his home at ~3:20 am on Monday morning (North Carolina’s Castle Doctrine, G.S. § 14-51.2, provides protection against anyone who is “in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering” a home, motor vehicle, or workplace). A neighbor of the homeowner and friend of the attempted intruder, Steven Dallas Contestable, described Contestable in an interview with WRAL:
Jerry Allen, a neighbor, told WRAL News he lived in the neighborhood for nine years and knew Contestable. He said he is still wrapping his mind around what happened.
"Steven's been like a brother to me since I was 11," Allen said. "He was a really great friend. I don’t want people to think he’s evil."
Allen described Contestable further, saying, "He's had a rough few years financially, but he's always been really positive, high-spirited ... I think he had a mental break of some sort."
As highlighted by the pro-2A publication Bearing Arms, a local anti-gun advocate gave quite the take to ABC11 in response to these incidents:
"I think the fact that these were incidents that were basically right next door, a lot of people are talking about that. And a lot of people are becoming aware that more guns don't necessarily make us safer. And we need to address that situation," said Liz Arnold, the Community Outreach Chair for the Wake County Chapter of Moms Demand Action.
Arnold joined the group following the Parkland school shooting, noting two of her children are educators.
"We have a program called BeSmart. We actually partner with the Wake Forest Police Department to present this information at community events. We demonstrate the importance of locking up a gun," said Arnold.
Arnold further stressed the importance of addressing root causes of gun violence, such as housing stability and food insecurity.
UNC pro-Palestine organizer linked to neo-Nazi organizations
Although most of the activists on the pro-Palestine side of the recent demonstrations appear to be motivated by either ethnic solidarity or far-left ideology, at least one of the pro-Palestine organizers at UNC has documented ties to white nationalist/neo-Nazi organizations.
Arieana “Ari” Love was previously listed at the bottom of a petition asking the dean of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health to issue a proclamation acknowledging “ethnic cleansing and genocide” in Palestine. Her name has since been removed from the petition, along with Ezra Levy.
Love was the subject of a 2019 doxxing by Atlanta Antifa, alleging ties to white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Georgia. Love was also mentioned in a 2020 Vice article, where she reportedly confirmed that Matthew Burchfield, her ex-boyfriend, was a neo-Nazi who traveled to Ukraine to join the conflict. Although I wouldn’t normally trust the characterizations of antifa media, I find it curious that someone who was once their target would now be allied with a cause they support.
Crowds rally behind Palestine in downtown Raleigh, denounce Israel’s bombing of Gaza - N&O
Pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian rallies take place blocks apart in Raleigh - ABC11
Dozens of groups rally in downtown Raleigh supporting either Israel or Palestinians - WRAL
UNC students hold sit-in protest outside Chancellor's office in support of Palestinians - ABC11
Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups have continued to hold rallies in the area. Although none of the local demonstrations have yet to turn into widespread violence or rioting, at least three of the pro-Palestine events have been organized by a local of the chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which also organized BLM riots in Raleigh back in 2020.
Family with Durham ties among those taken hostage by Hamas - ABC11
Chapel Hill couple among hostages held by Hamas in Israel, sources say - WRAL
Chapel Hill native Keith Seigel and his wife Aviva are reportedly among the Israeli hostages currently being held by Hamas. The Seigels moved to Israel approximately forty years ago to a kibbutz close to the Gaza border. The couple’s friends and family is in touch with North Carolina and federal politicians including Governor Roy Cooper and Senator Ted Budd to aid in securing their release.
ICYMI
This week, I launched my investigation into the death of 3-week-old Gunner Bliss, and subsequent abuse/murder charges against his father, Noah Bliss. The first article in the series details what we know so far, and why I believe this case warrants more of a spotlight being shown on it.
Justice for Baby Gunner #1: What we know, and why I doubt
Want to get in touch? I appreciate to getting your tips, thoughts, feedback, etc: thisweekinthetriangle@substack.com