By: Bobby Falat
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A man accused of murder in connection with a deadly gang feud has pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges stemming from three separate shooting incidents last summer.
C’Aundre Douglas, 20, entered not guilty pleas Friday in Cass County District Court to all 12 charges against him, including murder, attempted murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.
Douglas is accused of being involved in the Aug. 3, 2025, shooting death of 20-year-old Elijah Hughes in south Fargo. Prosecutors say the killing was retaliation in an escalating gang conflict between two groups.
The charges span three violent incidents:
Aug. 3, 2025: Douglas faces murder and aggravated assault charges in Hughes’ death. Police say the shooting came less than an hour after Tyrque Jones was falsely accused in the downtown shooting death of Azeem Holmes.
July 22, 2025: Douglas is charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and aggravated assault in a shooting at the Bell Insurance parking lot downtown.
July 6, 2025: He faces reckless endangerment, aggravated assault and criminal mischief charges in a shootout that sent Essentia Health on 32nd Avenue South into lockdown.
During a court hearing on January 22, Fargo Police detectives testified that the violence stems from a rivalry between individuals linked to United Blood and Black Disciple Nations. Investigators say the feud, which began over a girl, has raged for at least a year.
Detectives told the court many of the group members live in an apartment complex near Essentia Health, where several shootouts have occurred.
Douglas remains in custody at the Cass County Jail. A felony dispositional conference is scheduled for Feb. 5. No trial date has been set.
