by Durham, NC – Authorities in North Carolina have arrested an 18-year-old woman in connection with a deadly shooting, nearly two years after she was reported missing from her Florida home. Gracie Elizabeth Faye Landa, who vanished from Tampa, Fla., at age 16, is now facing murder charges in the death of 23-year-old Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez.
According to reports from The News & Observer and an arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE, Landa was apprehended on Monday, Aug. 18, for her alleged involvement in the May 30 shooting. Piedrasanta-Perez was one of three people shot inside a vehicle on Rowemont Drive in northern Durham around 12:30 a.m., law enforcement sources said.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Authorities have said that two women were also injured in the shooting, though it remains unclear whether Landa was in the car at the time or how she is connected to the victim. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and local reports, Piedrasanta-Perez was seated in the car near a Durham park with two friends when two people emerged from the woods and began firing shots into the vehicle.
Investigators recovered more than 40 casings, including rounds from a 9 mm handgun and a .223 rifle, at the scene. Piedrasanta-Perez sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and a 911 caller reported being shot at least 10 times, highlighting the intensity of the attack.
Authorities allege that the shooting was related to a conflict stemming from a romantic dispute, according to the warrant. Security camera footage reportedly showed the two suspects fleeing into the woods after opening fire.
Landa’s Disappearance and Connection to North Carolina
Landa was first reported missing from Tampa, Florida, on June 27, 2023, at age 16. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children later indicated that she may have traveled to Durham. Though her location was not formally announced, she is no longer listed as missing on the center’s website.
Court documents show that Landa made her first appearance in Durham County Court on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and was denied bond. She is scheduled to appear again on Sept. 11.
Read Also: California Parents of Missing 7-Month-Old Arrested, Accused of Murder
Family Reactions and Community Impact
Piedrasanta-Perez’s family has been deeply affected by the loss. His mother, Amalia Piedrasanta-Perez, said her son had parked his car near the park after completing DoorDash deliveries when the shooting occurred.
A GoFundMe page set up for funeral costs described Piedrasanta-Perez as having a “kind soul” and being “respectful, funny, caring, loving, hardworking.” The fundraiser also noted that he was the first of 10 grandchildren and a brother to three siblings.
“His presence brought light and comfort to the family, had a sense of humor like no other, and now his absence has left a hole in our hearts,” the family wrote. His mother told CBS 17, “He was just a fun brother, friend, grandson, and son to be around. Always with that big smile. Since everything happened, there’s not been a day where I don’t go see his grave.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate Landa’s alleged involvement and any potential accomplices. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed all details of her connection to the crime, citing the active nature of the investigation.
The arrest brings renewed attention to cases where missing persons later become linked to criminal incidents, underscoring the complexity of investigations across state lines. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that court proceedings will determine Landa’s culpability and any further charges.
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