18-year-old accused of taking 3 teens hostage at North Carolina pickleball court with gun

ZEBULON, N.C. (WNCN) — A man is facing felony kidnapping charges after a hostage situation was reported at a Zebulon pickleball court over the weekend, police said. According to the Zebulon Police Department, officers responded to a report of an armed person holding people against their will in the 1100 block of Channel Drop Loop following an incident on Sunday night. After officers arrived, according to Zebulon police, the suspect was taken into custody on early Monday morning without further incident. No injuries were reported. The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Diego Alberto Rijo of Zebulon, according to police.

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Scoop News DeskNorth Carolina · Published Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 11:54 AM UTCUpdated Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 9:15 AM UTC

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Police said Rijo is charged with: According to witnesses, the incident happened while two of the teenagers were picking up mail at the community mailbox. They described hearing gunshots between 10 p.m. and 11 :30 p.m. on Sunday. "One gunshot and at least a few seconds afterwards, it was two," a witness said. "At least 30 minutes later, I saw police lights." Rijo made his first appearance in Wake County court on Monday afternoon and was not given bond.

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